Exhibit
2.1
EXECUTION COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
among
FPL GROUP, INC.,
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.
and
CF MERGER CORPORATION
Dated as of December 18, 2005
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I
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The Merger
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SECTION 1.01. The Merger
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2
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SECTION 1.02. Closing
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2
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SECTION 1.03. Effective Time of the Merger
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2
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SECTION 1.04. Effects of the Merger
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2
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SECTION 1.05. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
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3
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SECTION 1.06. Board of Directors; Officers
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3
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SECTION 1.07. Post-Merger Operations
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3
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ARTICLE II
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Effect of the Merger on the Capital Stock
of the Constituent Corporations; Exchange of Certificates
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SECTION 2.01. Effect on Capital Stock
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4
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SECTION 2.02. Exchange of Certificates
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4
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ARTICLE III
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Representations and Warranties
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SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties of Constellation
and Merger Sub
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7
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SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties of FPL Group
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28
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ARTICLE IV
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Covenants
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SECTION 4.01. Covenants of Constellation
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46
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SECTION 4.02. Covenants of FPL Group
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52
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SECTION 4.03. No Solicitation by Constellation
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58
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SECTION 4.04. No Solicitation by FPL Group
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62
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SECTION 4.05. Other Actions
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66
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SECTION 4.06. Coordination of Dividends
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66
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ARTICLE V
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Additional Agreements
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SECTION 5.01. Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint
Proxy Statement; Shareholders/Stockholders Meetings
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66
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SECTION 5.02. Letters of FPL Groups Accountants
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67
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SECTION 5.03. Letters of Constellations Accountants
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68
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SECTION 5.04. Access to Information; Confidentiality; Effect of
Review
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68
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SECTION 5.05. Regulatory Matters; Reasonable Best Efforts
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69
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SECTION 5.06. FPL Group
Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock, FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Awards, and FPL Group Stock Plans
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70
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SECTION 5.07. Constellation
Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock and Constellation
Performance Units
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72
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SECTION 5.08. Employee Matters
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75
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SECTION 5.09. Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance
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76
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SECTION 5.10. Fees and Expenses
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77
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SECTION 5.11. Public Announcements
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83
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SECTION 5.12. Affiliates
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83
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SECTION 5.13. NYSE Listing
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83
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SECTION 5.14. Shareholder Litigation
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83
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SECTION 5.15. Tax Treatment
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83
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SECTION 5.16. Transfer Taxes
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83
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SECTION 5.17. Standstill Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements
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84
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SECTION 5.18. Stock Split
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84
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ARTICLE VI
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Conditions Precedent
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SECTION 6.01. Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect
the Merger
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84
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SECTION 6.02. Conditions to Obligations of Constellation and
Merger Sub
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85
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SECTION 6.03. Conditions to Obligations of FPL Group
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86
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SECTION 6.04. Frustration of Closing Conditions
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87
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ARTICLE VII
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Termination, Amendment and Waiver
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SECTION 7.01. Termination
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87
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SECTION 7.02. Effect of Termination
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90
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SECTION 7.03. Amendment
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90
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SECTION 7.04. Extension; Waiver
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90
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SECTION 7.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or
Waiver
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91
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ii
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ARTICLE VIII
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General Provisions
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SECTION 8.01. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties
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91
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SECTION 8.02. Notices
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91
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SECTION 8.03. Definitions
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92
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SECTION 8.04. Interpretation
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93
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SECTION 8.05. Counterparts
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94
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SECTION 8.06. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries
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94
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SECTION 8.07. Governing Law
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94
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SECTION 8.08. Assignment
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94
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SECTION 8.09. Enforcement
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94
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SECTION 8.10. Severability
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95
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SECTION 8.11. Waiver of Jury Trial
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95
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Exhibit A-1
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Form of Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation of Constellation
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Exhibit A-2
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Form of Articles Supplementary of
Constellation
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Exhibit B
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Form of By-laws of Constellation
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Exhibit C
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Corporate Governance of Constellation
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Exhibit D
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Form of Affiliate Letter
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iii
GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS
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Term
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Section
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409A Authorities
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3.01(k)(x)
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affiliate
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8.03(a)
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Agreement
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Preamble
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AJCA
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3.01(k)(x)
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Applicable PSCs
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3.01(d)(ii)(J)
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Articles of Merger
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1.03
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Atomic Energy Act
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3.01(d)(ii)(F)
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BGE
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3.01(e)(ii)
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capital stock
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8.03(b)
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Certificates
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2.02(b)
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Closing
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1.02
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Closing Date
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1.02
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Code
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Recitals
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Confidentiality Agreement
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4.03(a)
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Consents
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3.01(d)(ii)(L)
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Constellation
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Preamble
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Constellation Acquisition Agreement
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4.03(b)(v)
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Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change
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4.03(b)(i)
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Constellation Applicable Period
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4.03(a)
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Constellation Approved VaR Limit
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3.01(q)
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Constellation Articles
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1.05(a)
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Constellation By-laws
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1.05(b)
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Constellation Capital Stock
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3.01(b)(i)
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Constellation Charter Amendment
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1.05(a)
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Constellation Common Stock
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Recitals
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Constellation Disclosure Letter
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3.01(ii)
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Constellation DRIP
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3.01(b)(ii)
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Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement
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3.01(l)(ii)(B)
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Constellation Employee Benefit Plan
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3.01(l)(ii)(A)
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Constellation Employee Stock Options
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3.01(b)(i)(C)
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Constellation ERISA Affiliate
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3.01(l)(ii)(D)
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Constellation Fair Market Value
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5.07(ii)(A)
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Constellation Financial Statements
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3.01(e)(iii)
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Constellation Information Notice
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4.03(a)
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Constellation Joint Venture
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3.01(a)(ii)(B)
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Constellation Material Business
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4.03(a)
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Constellation Material Business Subsidiary
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4.03(a)
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Constellation Nuclear Facilities
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3.01(o)
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Constellation Other Equity-Based Award
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3.01(b)(ii)
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Constellation Performance Stock Awards
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3.01(b)(ii)
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Constellation Performance Units
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3.01(b)(i)
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Constellation Preferred Stock
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3.01(b)(i)
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iv
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Term
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Section
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Constellation Required Statutory Approvals
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3.01(d)(ii)(L)
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Constellation Restricted Stock
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3.01(b)(i)(A)
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Constellation Restricted Units
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3.01(b)(i)(C)
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Constellation Savings Plan
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3.01(b)(ii)
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Constellation SEC Reports
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3.01(e)(i)
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Constellation Stock Plans
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3.01(b)(i)(C)
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Constellation Stockholder Approval
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3.01(r)(i)
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Constellation Stockholders Meeting
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5.01(c)
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Constellation Superior Proposal
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4.03(b)
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Constellation Takeover Proposal
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4.03(a)
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Constellation Taxpayers
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3.01(k)(i)(A)
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Constellation Termination Fee
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5.10(b)(iv)
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Constellation Trading Guidelines
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3.01(q)
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Constellation Voting Debt
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3.01(b)(iii)
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DOE
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3.01(e)(iv)
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EEOC
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3.01(m)
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Effective Time
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1.03
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employee benefit plan
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3.01(l)(ii)(C)
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Environmental Claim
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3.01(n)(v)(A)
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Environmental Laws
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3.01(n)(v)(B)
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Environmental Permit
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3.01(n)(v)(C)
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Equity Interests
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3.01(a)(ii)(A)
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ERISA
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3.01(l)(ii)(A)
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Exchange Act
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3.01(d)(ii)(B)
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Exchange Agent
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2.02(a)
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Exchange Fund
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2.02(a)
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Exchange Ratio
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2.01(b)
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FBCA
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1.01
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FCC
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3.01(d)(ii)(K)
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FCC Pre-Approvals
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3.01(d)(ii)(K)
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FERC
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3.01(d)(ii)(E)
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Filed Constellation SEC Reports
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3.01(i)
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Filed FPL Group SEC Reports
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3.02(i)
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Final Order
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6.02(d)
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Form S-4
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3.01(d)(ii)(B)
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FPL
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3.02(e)(ii)
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FPL Group
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Preamble
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FPL Group Acquisition Agreement
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4.04(b)(iv)(D)
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FPL Group Adjusted Awards
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5.06(b)
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FPL Group Adjusted Option
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5.06(a)(i)
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FPL Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Award
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5.06(a)(iii)
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FPL Group Adjusted Restricted Stock
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5.06(a)(ii)
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FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change
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4.04(b)(i)(D)
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FPL Group Applicable Period
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4.04(a)
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FPL Group Approved VaR Limit
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3.02(q)
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v
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Term
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Section
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FPL Group Capital Stock
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3.02(b)(i)
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FPL Group Common Stock
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Recitals
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FPL Group Disclosure Letter
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3.02(ii)
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FPL Group DRIP
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3.02(b)(i)(G)
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FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement
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3.02(l)(ii)(B)
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FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan
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3.02(l)(ii)(A)
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FPL Group Employee Stock Options
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3.02(b)(i)(C)
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FPL Group Equity Units
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3.02(b)(i)(F)
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FPL Group ERISA Affiliate
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3.02(l)(ii)(C)
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FPL Group Financial Statements
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3.02(e)(iii)
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FPL Group Information Notice
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4.04(a)
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FPL Group Joint Venture
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3.02(a)(ii)
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FPL Group Material Business
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4.04(a)
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FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary
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4.04(a)
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FPL Group Nuclear Facilities
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3.02(o)
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FPL Group Other Equity-Based Award
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3.02(b)(ii)
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FPL Group Preferred Stock
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3.02(b)(i)
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FPL Group Required Statutory Approvals
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3.02(d)(ii)(L)
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FPL Group Restricted Stock
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3.02(b)(i)(A)
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FPL Group Restricted Units
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3.02(b)(i)(C)
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FPL Group Rights
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3.02(b)(i)(E)
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FPL Group Rights Agreement
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3.02(b)(i)(E)
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FPL Group SEC Reports
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3.02(e)(i)
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FPL Group Series A Preferred Stock
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3.02(b)(i)(E)
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FPL Group Shareholder Approval
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3.02(r)(i)
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FPL Group Shareholders Meeting
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5.01(b)
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FPL Group Stock Plans
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3.02(b)(i)(C)
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FPL Group Superior Proposal
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4.04(b)
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FPL Group Takeover Proposal
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4.04(a)
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FPL Group Taxpayers
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3.02(k)(i)(A)
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FPL Group Termination Fee
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5.10(c)
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FPL Group Thrift Plans
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3.02(b)(i)(A)
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FPL Group Trading Guidelines
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3.02(q)
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FPL Group Unvested ESOP Stock
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3.02(b)(i)(A)
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FPL Group Voting Debt
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3.02(b)(iii)
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FPSC
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3.01(d)(ii)(J)
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GAAP
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3.01(e)(iii)
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Gexa Warrants
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3.02(b)(i)(H)
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Governmental Authority
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3.01(d)(i)(B)
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Hazardous Materials
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3.01(n)(v)(D)
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HSR Act
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3.01(d)(ii)(A)
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Initial Termination Date
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7.01(b)(i)
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Injured Party
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7.02
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I.R.S.
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3.01(k)(iii)
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Joint Proxy Statement
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3.01(d)(ii)(B)
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vi
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Term
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Section
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Joint Venture
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3.01(a)(ii)(A)
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knowledge
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8.03(c)
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Laws
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3.01(d)(i)(B)
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Lien
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3.01(b)(vi)
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material adverse effect
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8.03(d)
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material subsidiary
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8.03(e)
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Merger
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Recitals
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Merger Consideration
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2.02(a)
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Merger Sub
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Preamble
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MGCL
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3.01(b)(ii)
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MPSC
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3.01(d)(ii)(J)
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NLRB
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3.01(m)
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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan
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3.01(k)(x)
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NRC
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3.01(d)(ii)(F)
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NYSE
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3.01(d)(ii)(D)
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Options
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3.01(b)(iv)
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Orders
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3.01(d)(i)(B)
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ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice
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8.03(f)
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PBGC
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3.01(l)(iv)
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Permits
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3.01(j)
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person
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8.03(g)
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Plan
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3.01(l)(ii)(C)
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Pre-Closing Service
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5.08(c)
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Power Act
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3.01(d)(ii)(E)
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Release
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3.01(n)(v)(E)
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Restraints
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6.01(b)(ii)
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SEC
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3.01(i)
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Securities Act
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3.01(e)(i)
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Share Issuance
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3.01(r)(i)(B)
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SOX
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3.01(e)(i)
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Split Ratio
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3.01(r)(i)
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Stock Split
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3.01(r)(i)
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subsidiary
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8.03(h)
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Surviving Corporation
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1.01
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Tax Return
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3.01(k)(xi)
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Taxes
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3.01(k)(xi)
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Transfer Taxes
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5.16
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VaR
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3.01(q) and 3.02(q)
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WARN
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3.01(m)
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vii
AGREEMENT AND
PLAN OF MERGER dated as of December 18, 2005 (this Agreement), among
FPL GROUP, INC., a Florida corporation (FPL Group), CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation (Constellation), and CF
MERGER CORPORATION, a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Constellation
(Merger Sub).
WHEREAS, the
respective Boards of Directors of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub have
approved the consummation of the business combination provided for in this
Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into FPL Group (the
Merger), with FPL Group as the surviving corporation, whereby, subject
to the terms of Article II, each share of common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of FPL Group (including, except as the context otherwise requires, the
associated FPL Group Rights) (the FPL Group Common Stock) will be
converted, subject to the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, into the
right to receive one share of common stock, no par value per share, of Constellation
(the Constellation Common Stock);
WHEREAS, immediately
prior to the Effective Time, Constellation shall effect the Stock Split,
pursuant to which, among other things, each issued and outstanding share of Constellation
Common Stock will be converted (assuming the effectiveness of the Merger) into 1.444 shares
of Constellation Common Stock;
WHEREAS, the
respective Boards of Directors of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub have (a) approved
this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and (b) determined
that the terms of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of their respective
corporations and their respective shareholders and stockholders;
WHEREAS, FPL
Group, Constellation and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to
prescribe various conditions to the Merger; and
WHEREAS, for
United States Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that (a) the
Merger shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), (b) this
Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby, adopted as a plan of
reorganization for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code, and (c) FPL
Group, Constellation and Merger Sub will each be a party to the reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Merger
SECTION 1.01. The
Merger. Upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger
Sub shall be merged with and into FPL Group in accordance with the Florida
Business Corporation Act (the FBCA). FPL Group shall be the surviving corporation
(the Surviving Corporation) in the Merger and shall continue its
corporate existence under the Laws of the State of Florida and shall succeed to
and assume all of the rights and obligations of Merger Sub and FPL Group in
accordance with the FBCA. As a result of
the Merger, FPL Group shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Constellation. The effects and the consequences of the
Merger shall be as set forth in Section 1.04.
SECTION 1.02. Closing. The closing of the Merger (the Closing)
shall take place at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825
Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019 at 10:00 a.m. on the third
business day following the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by
applicable Law, waiver by the party or parties entitled to the benefits
thereof) of all the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than any
condition that by its nature cannot be satisfied until the Closing, but subject
to satisfaction of any such condition), or at such other place, time and date
as shall be agreed in writing between FPL Group and Constellation; provided,
however, that if all the conditions set forth in Article VI shall
not have been satisfied (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waived
by the party or parties entitled to the benefits thereof) on such third
business day, then the Closing will take place on the first business day on
which all such conditions shall have been satisfied (or, to the extent
permitted by applicable Law, waived by the party or parties entitled to the
benefits thereof). The date on which the
Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the Closing Date.
SECTION 1.03. Effective
Time of the Merger. Subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on the Closing Date, the
parties shall file articles of merger (the Articles of Merger)
executed in accordance with, and containing such information as is required by,
Section 607.1105 of the FBCA with the Department of State of the State of Florida
and shall make all other filings or recordings required under the FBCA. The Merger shall become effective at such
time as the Articles of Merger is duly filed with the Department of State of
the State of Florida or such other time as specified in the Articles of Merger (the
time the Merger becomes effective being hereinafter referred to as the Effective
Time).
SECTION 1.04. Effects of
the Merger. The Merger shall have
the effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the FBCA.
2
SECTION 1.05. Articles
of Incorporation and By-laws. (a)
The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Constellation (the Constellation
Articles), as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended
and restated (the Constellation Charter Amendment) immediately prior
to the Effective Time to read in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law. Constellation shall file the Articles
Supplementary attached hereto as Exhibit A-2 with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland immediately prior to the filing
of the Constellation Charter Amendment.
(b) The By-laws of Constellation, as
amended (the Constellation By-laws), as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated at the Effective Time to read
in the form of Exhibit B hereto until thereafter changed or amended as
provided therein, in the Constellation Articles or by applicable Law.
(c) The Restated Articles of
Incorporation of FPL Group, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.
(d) The By-laws of FPL Group, as
amended, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the by-laws
of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided
therein, in the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, or by
applicable Law.
SECTION 1.06. Board of
Directors; Officers. (a) At the
Effective Time, (i) the Board of Directors of Constellation, the
committees of the Board of Directors of Constellation and the chairpersons
thereof and certain other governance matters shall be as set forth in Exhibit C
hereto and (ii) the senior officers (other than as set forth in Exhibit C
hereto) of Constellation shall be such persons agreed to by FPL Group and Constellation
prior to the Effective Time.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, the
individuals designated by FPL Group and Constellation immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation
until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified.
SECTION 1.07. Post-Merger
Operations. Following the Effective
Time, Constellation shall conduct its operations in accordance with the
following:
(a) Name. Constellations
name shall remain unchanged.
(b) Dual Headquarters.
Constellation shall maintain dual headquarters in Juno Beach, Florida
and Baltimore, Maryland in accordance with Exhibit C.
(c) Charities. The
parties agree that provision of charitable contributions and community support
in their respective service areas serves a number of their
3
important
corporate goals. During the ten-year
period immediately following the Effective Time, Constellation and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole intend to continue to provide charitable
contributions and community support within the service areas of the parties and
each of their respective subsidiaries at levels substantially comparable to the
levels of charitable contributions and community support provided, directly or
indirectly, by FPL Group and its subsidiaries and Constellation and its
subsidiaries within their service areas during the 24-month period immediately
prior to the Effective Time.
ARTICLE II
Effect of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the
Constituent Corporations; Exchange of Certificates
SECTION 2.01. Effect on
Capital Stock. At the Effective
Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
of any shares of FPL Group Common Stock, any shares of Constellation Common
Stock or any shares of common stock of Merger Sub:
(a) Cancellation of Certain FPL Group Common Stock. Each share of FPL Group Common Stock that is
owned by FPL Group or Constellation shall automatically be cancelled and
retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in
exchange therefor.
(b) Conversion of FPL Group Common Stock. Each issued and outstanding share of FPL
Group Common Stock (other than shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 2.01(a))
shall be automatically converted, subject to the prior effectiveness of the
Stock Split, into the right to receive one fully paid and nonassessable share
of Constellation Common Stock (the Exchange Ratio). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of FPL
Group Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled
and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing
any such shares of FPL Group Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the right to receive the shares of Constellation Common
Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor upon the surrender of such
certificate in accordance with Section 2.02(b), and the right to receive
dividends and other distributions in accordance with Section 2.02(c), in
each case, without interest.
(c) Conversion of Merger Sub Common Stock. Each issued and outstanding share of capital
stock of Merger Sub shall be automatically converted into and become one fully
paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Surviving
Corporation.
SECTION 2.02. Exchange
of Certificates. (a) Exchange
Agent. As of the Effective Time, Constellation
shall enter into an agreement with such bank or trust company as may be
mutually agreed to by FPL Group and Constellation (the Exchange
4
Agent),
which agreement shall provide that Constellation shall deposit with the
Exchange Agent as of the Effective Time, in trust for the benefit of the
holders of Certificates, certificates representing the shares of Constellation Common
Stock (such shares of Constellation Common Stock being hereinafter referred to
as the Merger Consideration, and together with any dividends or other distributions
with respect thereto with a record date after the Effective Time, collectively being
hereinafter referred to as the Exchange Fund) issuable pursuant to Section 2.01(b) in
exchange for the shares of FPL Group Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented outstanding shares of FPL Group Common Stock (the Certificates)
whose shares were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration
pursuant to Section 2.01(b), (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall
specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange
Agent and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as FPL Group and
Constellation may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for use in
surrendering the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation
to the Exchange Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed,
and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent,
the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor a certificate representing that number of whole shares of Constellation
Common Stock that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the
provisions of this Article II and certain dividends or other distributions
in accordance with Section 2.02(c), and the Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. In the
event of a transfer of ownership of FPL Group Common Stock that is not
registered in the transfer records of FPL Group, a certificate representing the
proper number of shares of Constellation Common Stock may be issued to a person
other than the person in whose name the Certificate so surrendered is
registered if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in
proper form for transfer and the person requesting such issuance shall pay any
transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the issuance of shares of Constellation
Common Stock to a person other than the registered holder of such Certificate
or establish to the satisfaction of Constellation that such Tax has been paid
or is not applicable. Until surrendered
as contemplated by this Section 2.02, each Certificate shall be deemed at
any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon
such surrender the Merger Consideration which the holder thereof has the right
to receive in respect of such Certificate pursuant to the provisions of this Article II
and certain dividends or other distributions in accordance with Section 2.02(c). No interest shall be paid or will accrue on
the Merger Consideration or any cash payable to holders of Certificates
pursuant to the provisions of this Article II.
(c) Distributions with Respect to
Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or
other distributions with respect to Constellation Common Stock with a record
date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
Certificate
5
with respect to the shares of Constellation Common Stock issuable
hereunder in respect thereof, and all such dividends and other distributions
shall be paid by Constellation to the Exchange Agent and shall be included in
the Exchange Fund, in each case until the surrender of such Certificate in
accordance with this Article II.
Subject to the effect of applicable escheat or similar Laws, following surrender
of any such Certificate to the Exchange Agent for cancellation there shall be
paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares of Constellation
Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) promptly
after the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with
respect to such whole shares of Constellation Common Stock and (ii) at the
appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a
record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and with a
payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole
shares of Constellation Common Stock.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in FPL
Group Common Stock. All shares of Constellation
Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates in
accordance with the terms of this Article II (and any dividends or other
distributions, in each case, pursuant to this Article II) shall be deemed
to have been issued (and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
the shares of FPL Group Common Stock theretofore represented by such
Certificates, subject, however, to FPL Groups obligation to pay
any dividends or make any other distributions expressly permitted by the terms
of this Agreement with a record date prior to the Effective Time that may have
been declared or made by FPL Group on such shares of FPL Group Common Stock
that remain unpaid at the Effective Time, and there shall be no further
registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of FPL Group of the
shares of FPL Group Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time. If, after the Effective
Time, Certificates are presented to Constellation or the Exchange Agent for any
reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article II,
except as otherwise provided by Law.
(e) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains
undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for 12 months after the
Effective Time shall be delivered to Constellation, upon demand, and any
holders of the Certificates who have not theretofore complied with this Article II
shall thereafter look only to Constellation for payment of their claim for
Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions with respect to Constellation
Common Stock.
(f) No Liability. None of Constellation, the Surviving
Corporation or the Exchange Agent or any of their respective directors,
officers, employees and agents shall be liable to any person in respect of any
shares of Constellation Common Stock, any dividends or other distributions with
respect thereto, in each case delivered to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. If any Certificate shall not have been
surrendered prior to five years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior
to such earlier date on which any Merger Consideration or any dividends or other
distributions payable to the holder of such Certificate would otherwise escheat
to or become the property of any Governmental Authority), any such
6
Merger Consideration, dividends or other distributions in respect of
such Certificate shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the
property of Constellation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any
person previously entitled thereto.
(g) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash
included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Constellation, on a daily
basis. Any interest and other income
resulting from such investments shall be paid to Constellation.
(h) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Constellation
or the Exchange Agent, the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable
amount as Constellation or the Exchange Agent may direct as indemnity against
any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the
Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
Certificate, the Merger Consideration and, if applicable, any unpaid dividends
and distributions on shares of Constellation Common Stock deliverable in
respect thereof, in each case pursuant to this Agreement.
(i) Withholding Taxes. Each of the parties and the Exchange Agent
will be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts otherwise payable under
this Article II any amounts that it is required to deduct and withhold
with respect to such payments under any provision of Tax Law. Any amounts so deducted and withheld will be
treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in
respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
SECTION 3.01. Representations
and Warranties of Constellation and Merger Sub. Except (i) to the extent the qualifying
nature of such disclosure is apparent therefrom, as set forth in the Constellation
SEC Reports filed by Constellation with, or furnished by Constellation to, the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) at any time on or after January 1,
2004 through the date of this Agreement and publicly available prior to the
date of this Agreement (the Filed Constellation SEC Reports), other
than risk factor disclosure contained in any such Filed Constellation SEC
Report under the headings Risk Factors, Forward Looking Statements or any
similar sections and any disclosure of risks that are predictive or forward
looking in nature (provided that nothing in the Filed Constellation SEC Reports
shall be deemed to qualify, or be deemed to have been disclosed for the purposes
of, Section 3.01(b) or 3.01(c)), or (ii) as set forth in the
letter dated the date of this Agreement delivered to FPL Group by Constellation
concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the Constellation
Disclosure Letter) (with specific reference to the particular Section or
subsection of this Agreement to which the information set forth in such
letter relates; provided, however, that any information set forth
in one section of the Constellation
7
Disclosure
Letter shall be deemed to apply to each other section or subsection thereof
to the extent that it is apparent on the face of the applicable disclosure that
such information is applicable to such other section or subsection without
reference to any underlying documentation), Constellation and Merger Sub
represent and warrant to FPL Group as follows:
(a) Organization and Qualification. (i) Each of Constellation and its
subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good
standing) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has full power
and authority to conduct its business as and to the extent now conducted and to
own, use and lease its assets and properties, except for such failures to be so
organized, existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that
recognize the concept of good standing) or to have such power and authority
that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation. Each of Constellation and its subsidiaries,
including Merger Sub, is duly qualified, licensed or admitted to do business
and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the
concept of good standing) in each jurisdiction in which the ownership, use
or leasing of its assets and properties, or the conduct or nature of its business,
makes such qualification, licensing or admission necessary, except for such
failures to be so qualified, licensed or admitted and in good standing (with
respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good
standing) that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation. Section 3.01(a) of the Constellation
Disclosure Letter sets forth as of the date of this Agreement the name and
jurisdiction of organization of each material subsidiary of Constellation.
(ii) Section 3.01(a) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter sets forth a description as of the date of
this Agreement of all Constellation Joint Ventures, including (A) the name
of the project associated with each such Constellation Joint Venture and (B) a
brief description of the principal line or lines of business conducted by each
such entity. For purposes of this
Agreement:
(A) Joint Venture of a person shall mean any person
that is not a subsidiary of such first person, in which such first person or
one or more of its subsidiaries owns directly or indirectly any share, capital
stock, partnership, membership or similar interest of any person or any Option
therefor (together, Equity Interests), other than Equity Interests
that represent less than 5% of each class of the outstanding voting securities
or other Equity Interests of such second person; and
(B) Constellation Joint Venture shall mean any Joint
Venture of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries in which the invested
capital associated with Constellation=s
or its subsidiaries=
interest exceeds $100,000,000, as reasonably determined by Constellation.
8
(iii) Except for interests in the subsidiaries of Constellation,
the Constellation Joint Ventures and interests acquired after the date of this
Agreement without violating any covenant contained herein, Constellation does
not directly or indirectly own any shares of capital stock, other voting securities
or Equity Interests in any person, in which the invested capital associated
with such interest individually as of the date of this Agreement exceeds $100,000,000,
as reasonably determined by Constellation.
Merger Sub (A) does not directly or indirectly own any shares of
capital stock, other voting securities or Equity Interests in any person and (B) does
not hold and has not held any material assets or incurred any material
liabilities.
(b) Capital Stock. (i) Without giving effect to the Constellation
Charter Amendment or the Stock Split, the authorized capital stock of Constellation
consists of 250,000,000 shares of Constellation Common Stock and 25,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Constellation
Preferred Stock and, together with the Constellation Common Stock, the Constellation
Capital Stock). At the close of
business on, December 12, 2005, (A) 178,584,853 shares of Constellation
Common Stock were issued and outstanding, of which 1,010,481 shares were
subject to future vesting requirements or risk of forfeiture back to Constellation
or a right of repurchase by Constellation (collectively, Constellation
Restricted Stock), (B) no shares of Constellation Common Stock were
held by Constellation in its treasury and (C) 12,476,987 shares of Constellation
Common Stock were reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the 2002
Senior Management Long-Term Incentive Plan, Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan,
Management Long-Term Incentive Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (such
plans, collectively, the Constellation Stock Plans), of which
8,058,432 shares were subject to outstanding options to purchase shares of
Constellation Common Stock with a weighted average exercise price of $36.23 per
share (such outstanding options, together with any options to purchase shares
of Constellation Common Stock granted after December 12, 2005, under the Constellation
Stock Plans, the Constellation Employee Stock Options), 306,136 shares
of Constellation Common Stock were reserved for the purpose of settling
outstanding unit awards which vest based on the achievement of Constellation
performance goals granted under the Constellation Stock Plans (such unit
awards, together with any unit awards granted after December 12, 2005, the
Constellation Performance Units) and 273,145 shares of Constellation
Common Stock were subject to restricted stock unit awards granted under the
Constellation Stock Plans (such unit awards, together with any other restricted
stock unit awards granted after December 12, 2005, the Constellation
Restricted Units). The authorized
capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value
$.01 per share, of which 100 shares are issued and outstanding, all of which
are beneficially owned by Constellation.
(ii) Except as set
forth in Section 3.01(b)(i) above, at the close of business on December 12,
2005, no shares of capital stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests
of Constellation were issued, reserved for issuance, outstanding or held by Constellation
in its treasury. As of the date of this
Agreement, (A) except as set forth in Section 3.01(b)(i) above, there
were no outstanding options, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights,
performance awards, units, dividend equivalent awards, rights to
9
receive
shares of Constellation Common Stock on a deferred basis, rights to purchase or
receive Constellation Common Stock or other rights that are linked to the value
of Constellation Common Stock (each, a Constellation Other Equity-Based
Award) issued or granted by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries to
any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant of Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries and (B) no shares of Constellation Restricted
Stock or Constellation Restricted Units were subject to performance-based
vesting criteria (collectively, the Constellation Performance Stock Awards). All outstanding shares of Constellation
Common Stock are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise
of Constellation Employee Stock Options and the vesting of Constellation
Performance Units and Constellation Restricted Units will be, when issued in
accordance with the terms thereof, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable and not subject to or issued in violation of any purchase
option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription
right or any similar right under any provision of the Maryland General Corporation
Law (the MGCL), the articles of incorporation of Constellation as in
effect from time to time, the by-laws of Constellation as in effect from time
to time, or any contract to which Constellation is a party or otherwise
bound. During the period from December 12,
2005, to the date of this Agreement, there have been no issuances, reservations
for issuance or grants by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries of any
shares of Constellation Capital Stock (including Constellation Restricted
Stock) or other voting securities or Equity Interests of Constellation (other
than issuances or grants of shares of Constellation Common Stock pursuant to (i) the
Constellation Shareholder Investment Plan (the Constellation DRIP), (ii) the
Constellation Employee Savings Plan, the Constellation Represented Employee
Savings Plan for Nine Mile Point and the Constellation Non-Represented Employee
Savings Plan for Nine Mile Point (collectively, the Constellation Savings
Plans) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and
(iii) the exercise of Constellation Employee Stock Options outstanding on December 12,
2005, as required by their terms as in effect on December 12, 2005).
(iii) There are no
outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Constellation or
any of its subsidiaries having the right to vote on any matters on which
holders of capital stock or other Equity Interests of Constellation or any of
its subsidiaries may vote (Constellation Voting Debt).
(iv) Except as set
forth above in this Section 3.01(b), as of the date of this Agreement,
there are (A) no options, warrants, calls, rights, convertible or
exchangeable securities, commitments, contracts, arrangements or undertakings
of any kind (together, Options) to which Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, (1) shares of capital stock or other voting securities
or Equity Interests of, or any security convertible or exercisable for or
exchangeable into any capital stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests
of, Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or (2) any Constellation
Voting Debt and (B) no other rights the value of which is in any way based
on or derived from, or that give any person the right to receive any economic
benefit or right similar to or derived from the economic benefits and rights
accruing to holders of capital stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests
of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries.
As of the date of
10
this
Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Constellation or
any of its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares
of capital stock of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries.
(v) Neither Constellation
nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any voting agreement with respect to
the voting of any shares of capital stock or other voting securities or Equity
Interests of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries.
(vi) Except as
permitted by this Agreement, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock and
other voting securities or Equity Interests of each subsidiary of Constellation
are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are
owned, beneficially and of record, by Constellation or a subsidiary of Constellation,
free and clear of any liens, claims, mortgages, encumbrances, pledges, security
interests, equities and charges of any kind (each a Lien) except for
any Liens granted in connection with project financings.
(vii) All of the shares
of Constellation Common Stock issuable in exchange for Certificates in the
Merger in accordance with this Agreement will be, when issued, duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive
rights. The issuance of such Constellation
Common Stock will be registered under the Securities Act and registered or
exempt from registration under applicable state securities Laws.
(c) Authority. Each of Constellation and Merger Sub has full
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its
obligations hereunder and, subject to obtaining Constellation Stockholder
Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of Constellation has
duly and validly adopted resolutions (i) approving this Agreement, the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) determining
that the terms of this Agreement, the Merger, and the other transactions
contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of Constellation and
its stockholders, (iii) declaring the Constellation Charter Amendment and
the Share Issuance advisable, (iv) directing that the Constellation Charter
Amendment and the Share Issuance be submitted to a vote at a meeting of Constellations
stockholders and (v) recommending that Constellations stockholders
approve the Constellation Charter Amendment and the Share Issuance, which
resolutions have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any
way. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Merger Sub and the consummation by Merger Sub of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Constellation and Merger Sub, including the
approval of this Agreement by Constellation as sole shareholder of Merger Sub. Except as Section 5.07 or Section 5.08
expressly contemplates further action by the Board of Directors of Constellation,
no other corporate proceedings on the part of Constellation or its stockholders
or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by Constellation and Merger Sub and the
consummation by Constellation and Merger Sub of the Constellation Charter
Amendment, the Share Issuance, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby, other than obtaining Constellation Stockholder
11
Approval. This Agreement has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by Constellation and Merger Sub and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Constellation and Merger
Sub enforceable against Constellation and Merger Sub in accordance with its
terms.
(d) No Conflicts; Approvals and
Consents. (i) The execution
and delivery of this Agreement by each of Constellation and Merger Sub do not,
and the performance by each of Constellation and Merger Sub of its obligations
hereunder and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby will not, conflict with, result in a violation or breach
of, constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under, result in or give to any person any right of payment or reimbursement,
termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration of, or result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the assets or properties of Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures under,
any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (A) the articles or
certificates of incorporation or by-laws (or other comparable organizational
documents) of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, or (B) subject to
the obtaining of Constellation Stockholder Approval and the taking of the
actions described in paragraph (ii) of this Section 3.01(d) and
obtaining the FPL Group Required Statutory Approvals (assuming the accuracy of
the representations in Section 3.02(d)), (1) any statute, law, duty
or obligation created by common law, rule, regulation or ordinance (together, Laws),
or any judgment, order, writ or decree (together, Orders), of any
Federal, state, local or foreign government or any court of competent
jurisdiction, administrative agency or commission or other governmental
authority or instrumentality, domestic, foreign or supranational (each, a Governmental
Authority) applicable to Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any
of the Constellation Joint Ventures or any of their respective assets or
properties, or (2) any note, bond, mortgage, security agreement,
agreement, indenture, license, franchise, Permit, concession, contract, lease
or other instrument to which Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or
any of the Constellation Joint Ventures is a party or by which Constellation or
any of its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures or any of
their respective assets or properties is bound, excluding from the foregoing
clause (B) such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights or Liens
that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
(ii) Except for (A) compliance
with, and filings under, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the HSR
Act); (B) the filing with and, to the extent required, the
declaration of effectiveness by the SEC of (1) a proxy statement relating
to the approval of the Constellation Charter Amendment and the Share Issuance by
Constellations stockholders (such proxy statement, together with the proxy
statement relating to the approval of this Agreement by FPL Groups shareholders,
in each case as amended or supplemented from time to time, the Joint Proxy
Statement) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations thereunder (the Exchange Act), (2) the
registration statement on Form S-4 prepared in connection with the
issuance of Constellation Common Stock in the Merger (the Form S-4)
and (3) such reports under the Exchange Act as may be required in
connection with this Agreement
12
and
the transactions contemplated hereby; (C) the filing of documents
with various state securities authorities that may be required in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby; (D) such filings with and
approvals of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to permit the
consummation of the Stock Split and the listing on the NYSE of the shares of Constellation
Common Stock that are to be issued pursuant to Article II; (E) notice
to, and the consent and approval of, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(the FERC) under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, as amended
(the Power Act); (F) the filing of an application to, and consent
and approval of, and transfer of or issuance of any required licenses and
license amendments by, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the NRC) under
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Atomic Energy Act); (G) the
filing of (1) an amendment to the Constellation Articles to effect the Constellation
Charter Amendment immediately prior to the occurrence of the Effective Time
with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland
and (2) appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other
states in which Constellation is qualified to do business; (H) the filing
of the Articles of Merger and other appropriate merger documents required by
the FBCA with the Department of State of the State of Florida and appropriate
documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which FPL Group is
qualified to do business; (I) compliance with any such filings as may be
required under applicable Environmental Laws; (J) to the extent required,
notice to and the approval of (1) the Maryland Public Service Commission (MPSC)
and (2) the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC and, collectively with the MPSC, the Applicable
PSCs); (K) required pre-approvals (the FCC Pre-Approvals) of
license transfers with the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC);
and (L) such other items as disclosed in Section 3.01(d) of the Constellation
Disclosure Letter (the items set forth above in clauses (A) through (H) and
(J), together with the items identified with an * in Section 3.01(d) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter, collectively, the Constellation
Required Statutory Approvals), no consent, approval, license, Order or
authorization (Consents) or action of, registration, declaration or
filing with or notice to any Governmental Authority is necessary or required to
be obtained or made in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Constellation and Merger Sub, the performance by Constellation and
Merger Sub of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby by Constellation or
Merger Sub, other than such items that the failure to make or obtain, as the
case may be, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on Constellation or on Constellation and its
prospective subsidiaries.
(e) SEC Reports, Financial
Statements and Utility Reports. (i)
Constellation and its subsidiaries have filed or furnished each form, report,
schedule, registration statement, registration exemption, if applicable,
definitive proxy statement and other document (together with all amendments
thereof and supplements thereto) required to be filed or furnished by Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and
regulations thereunder (the Securities Act) or the Exchange Act with
the SEC since January 1, 2002 (as such documents have since the time of
their filing or furnishment been amended or supplemented, the Constellation
SEC Reports). As of their
respective dates, and after giving effect to any amendments or supplements
thereto, the Constellation SEC
13
Reports (A) complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and,
to the extent in effect and applicable, the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 (SOX) and (B) did not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(ii) Each of the
principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of Constellation
and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) (or each former principal
executive officer and principal financial officer of Constellation and BGE, as
applicable) has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14
under the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of SOX and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder with respect to the Constellation
SEC Reports. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, principal executive officer and principal financial
officer shall have the meanings given to such terms in SOX. Since the effectiveness of SOX, neither Constellation
nor any of its subsidiaries has arranged any extensions of credit to
directors or executive officers within the meaning of Section 402 of SOX.
(iii) The audited
consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements (including, in each case, the notes, if any, thereto) included
in the Constellation SEC Reports (the Constellation Financial Statements)
complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as in effect on
the respective dates thereof applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto and except
with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q of the
SEC) and fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited interim
financial statements, to normal, recurring year-end audit adjustments that were
not or are not expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, materially
adverse to Constellation) the consolidated financial position of Constellation
and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective
periods then ended.
(iv) All filings required
to be made by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries since January 1, 2002,
under the Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the Communications Act of 1934, as amended
by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and applicable state Laws and
regulations, have been filed with the SEC, the FERC, the Department of Energy
(the DOE), the NRC, the FCC or any applicable state public utility
commissions (including, to the extent required, the MPSC), as the case may be,
including all forms, statements, reports, agreements (oral or written) and all
documents, exhibits, amendments and supplements pertaining thereto, including
all rates, tariffs, franchises, service agreements and related documents, and
all such filings complied, as of their respective dates, with all applicable
requirements of the applicable statute and the rules and regulations
thereunder, except for filings the failure of which to make or the failure of
which to make in compliance with all applicable requirements of the applicable
statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, individually or in the
aggregate, have not
14
had
and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
(v) The management of Constellation
has designed and implemented disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of
the Exchange Act), or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed and implemented under their supervision, to ensure that material
information relating to Constellation, including its consolidated subsidiaries,
is made known to the management of Constellation by others within those
entities. Since the date of the filing
of Constellations most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2005, Constellations outside auditors
and the audit committee of the Board of Directors of Constellation have not
been advised of (A) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which could
reasonably be expected to adversely affect Constellations ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in Constellations internal control over financial
reporting. Since December 31, 2004,
any material change in internal control over financial reporting required to be
disclosed in any Constellation SEC Report has been so disclosed.
(vi) Since December 31,
2004, (A) neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the
knowledge of Constellation, any director, officer, employee, auditor,
accountant or representative of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries has
received or otherwise obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation,
assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or
auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of Constellation or
any of its subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls
relating to periods after December 31, 2004, including any material
complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices
(except for any of the foregoing received after the date of this Agreement which
have no reasonable basis), and (B) to the knowledge of Constellation, no
attorney representing Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, whether or not
employed by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, has reported evidence of
a material violation of securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar
violation, relating to periods after December 31, 2004, by Constellation
or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of
Directors of Constellation or any committee thereof or to any director or
executive officer of Constellation.
(vii) Except for BGE,
none of Constellations subsidiaries is, or has at any time since January 1, 2003,
been, subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of
the Exchange Act.
(viii) Constellation
is not and, at the Effective Time, will not be, an ineligible issuer as
defined in Rule 405 (as amended by SEC Rel. No. 33-8591 as published
in Vol. 70, No. 147 of the Federal Register, page 44722 et. seq.
(August 3, 2005)) of the Securities Act.
15
(f) Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since the date of its
incorporation, Merger Sub has not carried on any business or conducted any
operations other than the execution of this Agreement, the performance of its
obligations hereunder and matters ancillary thereto. Since December 31, 2004, to the date of
this Agreement, there has not been any change, event or development that,
individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on Constellation, and during such period there
has not been:
(i) (A) any granting by Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries to any current director or executive officer of Constellation
or BGE of any increase in compensation, bonus, fringe or other benefits, other
than (1) increases in fringe or other benefits that are not material and
that are granted in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice or (2) increases in salaries or bonuses of current directors or
executive officers of Constellation or BGE in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (B) any granting by Constellation or any of
its subsidiaries to any current director or executive officer of Constellation or
BGE of any change of control, severance or termination compensation or benefits
or any increase therein, (C) any entry by Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries into, or any amendment to or termination of, any Constellation
Employee Benefit Agreement with any current director or executive officer of Constellation
or BGE, or (D) any action taken to fund or in any other way secure the
payment, or to accelerate the vesting or payment, of a material amount of
compensation or benefits under any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation
Stock Plan (or any grant or award thereunder) or Constellation Employee Benefit
Agreement;
(ii) any change in accounting methods,
principles or practices by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries materially
affecting the consolidated assets, liabilities or results of operations of Constellation,
except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP; or
(iii) any authorization of, or
commitment or agreement to take, any of the actions described in clauses (i) and
(ii).
(g) Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. As of the date of this Agreement,
except for matters reflected or reserved against in the balance sheet (or notes
thereto) as of December 31, 2004, included in the Constellation Financial
Statements, neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries has any
liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or
otherwise, or whether due or to become due) of any nature that would be
required by GAAP, as in effect on the date thereof, to be reflected on a
consolidated balance sheet of Constellation and its consolidated subsidiaries
(including the notes thereto), except liabilities or obligations (i) that
were incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
since December 31, 2004, or (ii) that, individually or in the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on Constellation. Neither
Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment
to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or
16
any similar contract or arrangement (including any contract relating to
any transaction or relationship between or among Constellation and any of its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated affiliate, including any
structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or person, on the
other hand or any off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a) of
Regulation S-K of the SEC)), where the result, purpose or effect of such contract
is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material
liabilities of, Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, in Constellations or
any of its subsidiarys audited financial statements or other Constellation SEC
Reports.
(h) Legal Proceedings. Except for environmental matters, which are
the subject of Section 3.01(n), as of the date of this Agreement, (i) there
are no actions, suits, arbitrations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge
of Constellation, threatened against, relating to or affecting, nor, to the
knowledge of Constellation, are there any Governmental Authority investigations
or audits pending or threatened against, relating to or affecting, Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures or any of
their respective assets and properties that, in each case, individually or in
the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on Constellation, and (ii) neither Constellation nor any of
its subsidiaries is subject to any Order of any Governmental Authority that,
individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
(i) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by or on behalf of Constellation or Merger Sub for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4
is filed with the SEC, at any time it is amended or supplemented or at the time
it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (ii) the
Joint Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to Constellations stockholders
or FPL Groups shareholders or at the time of the Constellation Stockholders
Meeting or the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Form S-4 and Joint Proxy Statement
will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that no
representation is made by Constellation or Merger Sub with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information
supplied by or on behalf of FPL Group for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Joint Proxy Statement.
(j) Permits;
Compliance with Laws and Orders. Constellation,
its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures hold all permits,
licenses, certificates, franchises, approvals, consents, and other authorizations
of all Governmental Authorities (Permits) necessary for the lawful
conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted, except for
failures to hold such Permits that, individually or in the aggregate, have not
had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
17
adverse effect on Constellation.
Constellation, its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures,
and their respective businesses as currently conducted, are in compliance with
the terms of their Permits, except failures so to comply that, individually or
in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on Constellation.
Constellation, its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures,
and their respective businesses as currently conducted, are not in violation of
or default under any Law or Order of any Governmental Authority, except for
such violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not
had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation. Constellation is, and has been, in compliance
in all material respects with the provisions of SOX applicable to it on or
prior to the date of this Agreement and has implemented such programs and has
taken all reasonable steps necessary to ensure Constellations future
compliance (not later than the relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines
therefor) with all provisions of SOX which shall become applicable to Constellation
after the date of this Agreement. This Section 3.01(j)
does not relate to matters with respect to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 3.01(k),
benefit plans, which are the subject of Section 3.01(l), Environmental
Laws, which are the subject of Section 3.01(n), and nuclear power plants,
which are the subject of Section 3.01(o).
(k) Taxes. (i) Except as, individually or in the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on Constellation, (A) each of Constellation, its
subsidiaries, any predecessor thereof and any member of any consolidated group
of which any of the foregoing is or has been a member (together, the Constellation
Taxpayers) has timely filed, or has caused to be timely filed on its
behalf, all Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are
true, complete and accurate and (B) the Constellation Taxpayers have paid
all Taxes required to be paid by them other than Taxes that are not yet due or
that are being contested in good faith in appropriate proceedings.
(ii) Except as, individually or in the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on Constellation, no deficiency with respect to any Taxes has
been proposed, asserted or assessed against any Constellation Taxpayer (other
than any deficiency that has been paid or is being contested in good faith in
appropriate proceedings) and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any
such Taxes are pending.
(iii) The Federal income Tax Returns of
the Constellation Taxpayers have been examined by and settled with the United
States Internal Revenue Service (the I.R.S.) for all years through 2001. All material assessments for Taxes due with
respect to such completed and settled examinations or any concluded litigation
have been fully paid.
(iv) Neither Constellation nor any of
its subsidiaries (A) has been a member of an affiliated group (or similar state,
local or foreign filing group) filing a consolidated U.S. Federal income Tax
Return (other than the group the common parent of which is Constellation) or (B) has
any liability for the Taxes of any
18
person (other than Constellation or any of its subsidiaries) (1) under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign Law), or (2) as a transferee or successor.
(v) There are no material Liens for
Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable) on the assets of
any Constellation Taxpayer.
(vi) Within the past two years, neither
Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries has been a distributing corporation
or a controlled corporation in a distribution intended to qualify for
tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.
(vii) Neither Constellation nor any of
its subsidiaries has been a party to a transaction that constitutes a listed
transaction, for purposes of Section 6011 of the Code and applicable
Treasury Regulations thereunder (or a similar provision of state Law), that is
or may be subject to examination by the I.R.S.
To the knowledge of Constellation, Constellation has disclosed to FPL
Group all reportable transactions within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b) (or
a similar provision of state Law) to which it or any of the Constellation
subsidiaries has been a party.
(viii) Neither Constellation nor any of
its subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action or knows of any fact,
agreement, plan or other circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent or
impede the Merger from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code.
(ix) Neither Constellation nor any of
its subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or
indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or
arrangement exclusively between or among Constellation and its subsidiaries).
19
(x) Each
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan and each Constellation Employee Benefit
Agreement that is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan within the
meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code (a Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan) subject to Section 409A of the Code has
been operated in compliance with Section 409A of the Code since January 1,
2005, based upon a good faith, reasonable interpretation of (A) Section 409A
of the Code and (B)(1) the Proposed Regulations issued thereunder or (2) Internal
Revenue Service Notice 2005-1 (clauses (A) and (B), together, the 409A
Authorities). No Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement that would be
a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan subject to Section 409A of the
Code but for the effective date provisions that are applicable to Section 409A
of the Code, as set forth in Section 885(d) of the American Jobs
Creation Act of 2004, as amended (the AJCA), has been materially
modified within the meaning of Section 885(d)(2)(B) of the AJCA
after October 3, 2004, based upon a good faith reasonable interpretation
of the AJCA and the 409A Authorities.
(xi) For
purposes of this Agreement:
Taxes
means all forms of taxation, whenever created or imposed, and whether of the
United States or elsewhere, imposed by any level of government or Governmental
Authority, or in connection with any agreement with respect to Taxes, including
any direct or indirect Taxes, whatever their nature, on income or otherwise,
together with all interest, surcharges and penalties imposed with respect to
such amounts.
Tax Return
means all Tax returns, declarations, statements, reports, schedules, forms and
information to be filed with any level of government or Governmental Authority
of the United States or elsewhere, and any amended Tax return relating to Taxes
(whether or not a payment is required to be made with respect to such filing).
(l) Employee
Benefit Plans; ERISA. (i) Except
for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation, (A) all
Constellation Employee Benefit Plans have been operated, funded and
administered in compliance with their terms, the terms of any applicable collective
bargaining agreements and with all applicable requirements of Law, including
ERISA and the Code, (B) except for regular contribution, funding and
vesting requirements of the Constellation Employee Benefit Plans, none of Constellation,
any of its subsidiaries or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate has any
liabilities or obligations with respect to any Constellation Employee Benefit
Plans, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, nor, to the knowledge of Constellation,
are any such liabilities or obligations reasonably expected to be incurred, (C) each
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified within the
meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and there are
no existing circumstances or events that would reasonably be expected to
adversely affect the qualified status of any such Constellation Employee
Benefit Plan, (D) there are no
20
audits, proceedings, claims or investigations by any Governmental Authority
pending or, to the knowledge of Constellation, threatened in connection with
any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit
Agreement, (E) no litigation has been commenced with respect to any Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement and, to the
knowledge of Constellation, no such litigation is threatened (other than
routine claims for benefits in the normal operation of such Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement), (F) there
have been no prohibited transactions as defined by Section 406 of ERISA
or Section 4975 of the Code with respect to any Constellation Employee
Benefit Plan and (G) no fiduciary within the meaning of Section 3(21)
of ERISA has any liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other act or
omission with respect to the investment or administration of the assets of any Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan. The only material
Constellation Employee Benefit Agreements and material Constellation Employee
Benefit Plans that exist on the date of this Agreement are disclosed in Section 3.01(l)
of the Constellation Disclosure Letter.
(ii) As used herein:
(A) Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan means any Plan entered into, established,
maintained, sponsored, contributed to or required to be contributed to by Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate for the benefit
of the current or former employees or directors of Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate and existing on the date of
this Agreement or at any time subsequent thereto and on or prior to the
Effective Time, and, in the case of a Plan that is subject to Part 3 of
Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (ERISA), Section 412
of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, at any time during the five-year period
preceding the date of this Agreement, with respect to which Constellation or
any of its subsidiaries or any other Constellation ERISA Affiliate has or could
reasonably be expected to have any present or future actual or contingent
liabilities;
(B) Constellation
Employee Benefit Agreement means (1) any employment, deferred
compensation, consulting, severance, loan, termination or indemnification
agreement between Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand,
and any current director, executive officer or other employee of Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand or (2) any change of control
or other agreement between Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, on the one
hand, and any current director, executive officer or other employee of Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, the benefits of which are
contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence
of a transaction involving Constellation of a nature contemplated by this
Agreement;
(C) Plan means
any employment, bonus, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, long-term
incentive, pension, profit sharing, retirement,
21
stock purchase, stock option, stock
ownership, stock appreciation, restricted stock, phantom stock, leave of absence,
layoff, vacation, day or dependent care, legal services, cafeteria, life,
health, medical, accident, disability, workers compensation or other
insurance, severance, separation, termination, change of control or other
benefit plan, agreement, practice, policy, program, scheme or arrangement of
any kind, whether written or oral, including any employee benefit plan
within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA; and
(D) Constellation
ERISA Affiliate means any person who, on or before the Effective Time, is
under common control with Constellation or any of its subsidiaries within the
meaning of Section 414 of the Code.
(iii) No event has
occurred, and there exists no condition or set of circumstances, in connection
with any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan that has had or would reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
(iv) None of Constellation,
any of its subsidiaries or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate has incurred or could
reasonably be expected to incur any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (the PBGC) or to any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan
that is an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA) under Section 302(c), 4062, 4063, 4064 or 4069 of ERISA, or otherwise
as a result of the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or in combination with any other
subsequent event), and no event or condition exists or has existed that could
reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by Constellation,
any subsidiary or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate. No such Constellation Employee Benefit Plan
that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA has been
completely or partially terminated or been the subject of a reportable event within
the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA as to which notices would be required
to be filed with the PBGC.
(v) None of Constellation,
any of its subsidiaries or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate contributes to,
has any obligation to contribute to or has any present or future actual or
contingent liabilities (including withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201
of ERISA and any liability or obligation under Section 4204 or 4212 of
ERISA) with respect to any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37)
of ERISA.
(vi) The execution of
this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
will not (either alone or in combination with any other subsequent event) (A) accelerate
the time of payment or vesting of, or increase the amount of, compensation or
benefits due to any current or former employee, director or officer of Constellation
or its subsidiaries, (B) result in any forgiveness of indebtedness or
obligation to fund benefits with respect to any such employee, director or
officer, or (C) entitle any such employee, director or officer to
severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment or other benefit.
(vii) Other than
payments that may be made to the persons listed in Section 3.01(l)(vii) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter and described in
22
Section 3.01(l)(vii) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter, based on Constellations reasonable good
faith assumptions, (A) no amount that could be received (whether in cash
or property or the vesting of property) as a result of the Merger or any other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in combination
with any other subsequent event) by any employee, officer or director of Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries who is a disqualified individual (as defined in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any employment, severance or
termination agreement, other compensation arrangement or Constellation Employee
Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement would be characterized
as an excess parachute payment (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of
the Code) and (B) no such disqualified individual is entitled to receive
any additional payment (e.g., any tax gross-up or other payment) from Constellation
or any other person in the event that the excise tax required by Section 4999(a) of
the Code is imposed on such disqualified individual.
(viii) Neither Constellation
nor any of its subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or has any liability with
respect to any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee
Benefit Agreement that provides any post-employment or post-termination health,
life or other welfare-type benefits, except where the cost thereof is borne
entirely by the former employee (or his or her eligible dependents) or as
required by Section 4980B(f) of the Code.
(m) Labor
and Employee Matters. Neither Constellation
nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement
or other labor agreement with any union or labor organization. As of the date of this Agreement, there are
no disputes pending or, to the knowledge of Constellation, threatened between Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any trade union or other
representative of their respective employees, on the other hand, and there is
no charge or complaint pending or threatened in writing against Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board (the NLRB),
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the EEOC) or any other
Governmental Authority responsible for enforcing labor/employment Laws, except
in each case as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation, and,
to the knowledge of Constellation, as of the date of this Agreement, there are
no organizational efforts presently being made involving any of the employees
of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries.
From January 1, 2002, to the date of this Agreement, there has been
no work stoppage, strike or other concerted action by employees of Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Constellation, no such
action has been threatened in writing, except in each case as, individually or
in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on Constellation.
Since January 1, 2000, neither Constellation nor any of its
subsidiaries has engaged in any plant closing or mass layoff, as defined in
the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or
any similar state or local Law (collectively, the WARN Act or WARN),
without complying with the notice requirements of such Laws, except for such
failures to comply with the notice requirements of such Laws that, individually
or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have
a material adverse effect on
23
Constellation. With respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each labor notice required to
have been given under any Law or collective bargaining agreement has been given
or satisfied, other than as, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
(n) Environmental
Matters. Except for any matters,
individually or in the aggregate, that have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation:
(i) Each of Constellation, its
subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures has been and is in compliance
with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(ii) Each of Constellation, its
subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures has obtained all Environmental
Permits necessary for the construction of their facilities and the conduct of
their operations as of the date of this Agreement, as applicable, and all such
Environmental Permits are in good standing or, where applicable, a renewal
application has been timely filed and is pending agency approval. Constellation,
its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures are in compliance with
all terms and conditions of such Environmental Permits, and no such
Environmental Permits will be revoked, modified or not renewed as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(iii) There is no Environmental Claim
pending or, to the knowledge of Constellation, threatened:
(A) against Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures;
(B) against any person or entity whose
liability for such Environmental Claim has been retained or assumed either
contractually or by operation of Law by Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures; or
(C) against any real or personal
property or operations that Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any of
the Constellation Joint Ventures owns, leases or operates, in whole or in part,
or, to the knowledge of Constellation, formerly owned, leased or operated, in
whole or in part.
(iv) There have not been any Releases
of any Hazardous Material that would reasonably be expected to form the basis
of any Environmental Claim against Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or
any of the Constellation Joint Ventures.
(v) As used in this Agreement:
(A) Environmental Claim means
any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, Orders,
demands, demand letters, directives, claims, liens, investigations, proceedings
or notices of noncompliance, liability or
24
violation by any person or entity (including
any Governmental Authority) alleging liability (including potential
responsibility or liability for enforcement, investigatory costs, cleanup
costs, governmental response costs, removal costs, remedial costs, natural
resources damages or restoration, property damages, personal injuries or
penalties) arising out of, based on or resulting from
(1) the presence or
Release into the environment of any Hazardous Materials at any location;
(2) circumstances forming
the basis of any violation of, or liability under, any Environmental Law or
Environmental Permit (including any claim for revocation, modification or
non-renewal of any Environmental Permit); or
(3) any and all claims by
any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery,
compensation or injunctive relief resulting from the presence or Release of, or
exposure to, any Hazardous Materials;
(B) Environmental
Laws means all applicable Laws, principles of common Law, regulations,
ordinances, directives or Orders relating to pollution, protection of the
environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or
subsurface strata), atmospheric emissions, or protection of human health as it
relates to the environment, including Laws relating to the presence or Release
of Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of, or
exposure to, Hazardous Materials;
(C) Environmental
Permit means all permits, certificates, licenses, franchises, approvals,
consents, emissions credits, waivers or other authorizations of a Governmental
Authority issued under or pursuant to Environmental Laws;
(D) Hazardous
Materials means (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive
materials and asbestos in any form; and (b) any other chemical, material,
substance or waste that is prohibited, limited or regulated under any
Environmental Law because of its dangerous or deleterious properties or
characteristics; and
(E) Release
means any actual or threatened release, spill, emission, leaking, injection,
deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the
atmosphere, soil, surface water, groundwater or property.
(o) Operations
of Nuclear Power Plants. The
operations of the nuclear generation stations owned or operated, in whole or
part, by Constellation or its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint
Ventures, as applicable (collectively, the Constellation Nuclear Facilities)
are and have been conducted in compliance with all applicable Laws and Permits,
except for such failures to comply that, individually or in the aggregate, have
not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
25
adverse effect on Constellation.
Each of the Constellation Nuclear Facilities maintains, and is in
material compliance with, emergency plans designed to respond to an unplanned
Release therefrom of radioactive materials and each such plan conforms with the
requirements of applicable Law in all material respects. The plans for the decommissioning of each of
the Constellation Nuclear Facilities and for the storage of spent nuclear fuel
conform with the requirements of applicable Law in all material respects and,
solely with respect to the portion of the Constellation Nuclear Facilities
owned, directly or indirectly, by Constellation, the funding of decommissioning
and storage of spent nuclear fuel is consistent with applicable Law. The operations of the Constellation Nuclear
Facilities are not the subject of any outstanding notices of violation or
requests for information from the NRC or any other agency with jurisdiction
over such facility, except for such notices or requests for information that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation. Constellation and its subsidiaries and each
of the Constellation Joint Ventures maintain liability insurance to the full
extent required by Law for operating the Constellation Nuclear Facilities, and
such insurance regarding such facilities remains in full force and effect in
all material respects.
(p) Insurance. Except for failures to maintain insurance or
self-insurance that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation,
from January 1, 2004, through the date of this Agreement, each of Constellation
and its subsidiaries has been continuously insured with financially responsible
insurers or has self-insured, in each case in such amounts and with respect to
such risks and losses as are customary for companies in the United States
conducting the business conducted by Constellation and its subsidiaries during
such time period. Neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries has
received any notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any
insurance policy of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, except with
respect to any cancellation or termination that, individually or in the
aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on Constellation.
(q) Trading. Constellation has established risk
parameters, limits and guidelines in compliance with the risk management
policies approved by Constellations corporate risk management committee (the Constellation
Trading Guidelines), and Constellations Board of Directors has approved a
VaR limit as set forth in Section 3.01(q) of the Constellation Disclosure
Letter (the Constellation Approved VaR Limit). Compliance with the Constellation Trading
Guidelines is monitored by the Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Constellation
and is periodically reviewed with the audit committee of the Board of Directors
of Constellation. Constellation has provided the Constellation Trading
Guidelines to FPL Group prior to the date of this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) Constellations
VaR is in compliance with the Constellation Approved VaR Limit, and Constellation
and its subsidiaries are operating in compliance with the Constellation Trading
Guidelines in all material respects and (ii) the aggregate net positions
in the trading portfolio of Constellation and its subsidiaries would not
reasonably be expected to result in a material loss to Constellation and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, based on market prices in existence as of the
date of this Agreement. From September 30, 2005,
26
to the date of this Agreement, neither Constellation nor any of its
subsidiaries has, in accordance with its mark-to-market accounting policies,
experienced an aggregate net loss in the trading portfolio of Constellation and
its subsidiaries that would be material to Constellation and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole. For purposes of this Section 3.01(q)
and Section 4.01(h), VaR shall mean the value-at-risk of the
mark-to-market portfolio of Constellation and its marketing and trading
subsidiaries based on a four standard deviation move in prices and a one-day
holding period.
(r) Vote
Required. Assuming the accuracy of
the representation and warranty of FPL Group contained in Section 3.02(s),
(i) the affirmative vote (the Constellation Stockholder Approval)
of (A) at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Constellation Common
Stock entitled to be cast at the Constellation Stockholders Meeting is the only
vote of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of Constellation
or its subsidiaries required to effect the Constellation Charter Amendment
whereby, among other things, (1) the number of authorized shares of Constellation
Common Stock will be increased and (2) the Constellation Common Stock shall
be divided (the Stock Split) such that, immediately prior to the
Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of Constellation Common Stock
shall be automatically converted into (assuming the effectiveness of the
Merger) 1.444 (the Split Ratio) fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Constellation Common Stock (with the resulting number of shares held by each
registered holder of Constellation Common Stock being rounded down to the
nearest whole number and with each such registered holder being entitled to
receive from Constellation in lieu of any fractional shares of Constellation
Common Stock prior to such rounding down an amount in cash (without interest)
equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the fraction of a share
of Constellation Common Stock to which such holder (after taking into account
all shares of Constellation Common Stock and all certificates held immediately
prior to the effective time of the Stock Split by such holder) would otherwise
be entitled to and (y) the closing price per share of Constellation Common
Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Transaction Tape (as reported in The
Wall Street Journal, or, if not reported thereby, any other authoritative
source) on the last trading day prior to the date on which the effective time
of the Stock Split occurs) and (B) at least a majority of all shares of Constellation
Common Stock casting votes (provided that the total vote cast represents
over 50% in interest of all Constellation Capital Stock entitled to vote) is
the only vote or consent or any series or class of capital stock of Constellation
or its subsidiaries required to approve, in accordance with the applicable rules of
the NYSE, the issuance of Constellation Common Stock in the Merger (the Share
Issuance) and (ii) except as set forth in clause (i) of
this sentence, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of any class or
series of capital stock of Constellation or its subsidiaries is not necessary
to consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(s) Ownership
of FPL Group Capital Stock. Neither Constellation
nor any of its subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, or other affiliates
beneficially owns any shares of FPL Group Common Stock or any other class or
series of FPL Group Capital Stock. None
of Constellation or any of its affiliates or associates is, or has been
within the two-year period immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, an
27
interested shareholder of FPL Group as those terms are defined in Section 607.0901
of the FBCA.
(t) State
Anti-Takeover Statutes. Assuming the
accuracy of the representation and warranty of FPL Group contained in Section 3.02(s),
Constellation has taken all necessary actions, if any, so that the provisions
of Sections 3-602 and 3-702 of the MGCL will not, before the termination
of this Agreement, apply to this Agreement, the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby.
(u) Joint
Venture Representations. Each
representation or warranty made by Constellation in this Section 3.01 relating
to a Constellation Joint Venture that is neither operated nor managed by Constellation
or a Constellation subsidiary shall be deemed made only to the knowledge of Constellation.
(v) Opinion of Financial Advisor. Constellation has received the opinions of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co., each
dated the date of this Agreement to the effect that, as of the date of this
Agreement and based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein, the
Exchange Ratio, assuming the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, is fair
from a financial point of view to the holders of Constellation Common Stock.
(w) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other person, other than Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
and Goldman, Sachs & Co., the fees and expenses of which will be paid
by Constellation, is entitled to any brokers, finders, financial advisors or
other similar fee or commission in connection with the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of Constellation or Merger Sub.
SECTION 3.02. Representations
and Warranties of FPL Group. Except (i) to
the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is apparent therefrom, as
set forth in the FPL Group SEC Reports filed by FPL Group with, or furnished by
FPL Group to, the SEC at any time on or after January 1, 2004 through the
date of this Agreement and publicly available prior to the date of this
Agreement (the Filed FPL Group SEC Reports), other than risk factor
disclosure contained in any such Filed FPL Group SEC Report under the headings Risk
Factors, Forward Looking Statements or any similar sections and any
disclosure of risks that are predictive or forward looking in nature (provided
that nothing in the Filed FPL Group SEC Reports shall be deemed to qualify, or
be deemed to have been disclosed for the purposes of, Section 3.02(b) or
3.02(c)) or (ii) as set forth in the letter dated the date of this
Agreement delivered to Constellation by FPL Group concurrently with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement (the FPL Group Disclosure Letter)
(with specific reference to the particular Section or subsection of
this Agreement to which the information set forth in such letter relates; provided,
however, that any information set forth in one section of the FPL
Group Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to apply to each other section or
subsection thereof to the extent that it is apparent on the face of the
applicable disclosure that such information is applicable to such other section or
subsection without reference to any underlying documentation), FPL Group
represents and warrants to Constellation as follows:
28
(a) Organization and Qualification. (i) Each of FPL Group and its
subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with
respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) under the
Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has full power and authority to
conduct its business as and to the extent now conducted and to own, use and
lease its assets and properties, except for such failures to be so organized,
existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the
concept of good standing) or to have such power and authority that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group.
Each of FPL Group and its subsidiaries is duly qualified, licensed or
admitted to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions
that recognize the concept of good standing) in each jurisdiction in which
the ownership, use or leasing of its assets and properties, or the conduct or
nature of its business, makes such qualification, licensing or admission
necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, licensed or admitted
and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept
of good standing) that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. Section 3.02(a) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter sets forth as of the date of this Agreement the name and jurisdiction
of organization of each material subsidiary of FPL Group.
(ii) Section 3.02(a) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter sets forth a description as of the date of this
Agreement of all FPL Group Joint Ventures, including (A) the name of each
such entity and (B) a brief description of the principal line or lines of
business conducted by each such entity. For purposes of this Agreement FPL Group
Joint Venture shall mean any Joint Venture of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries in which the invested capital associated with FPL Group=s or its subsidiaries= interest exceeds
$100,000,000, as reasonably determined by FPL Group.
(iii) Except for
interests in the subsidiaries of FPL Group, the FPL Group Joint Ventures and
interests acquired after the date of this Agreement without violating any
covenant contained herein, FPL Group does not directly or indirectly own any shares
of capital stock, other voting securities or Equity Interests in any person, in
which the invested capital associated with such interest individually as of the
date of this Agreement exceeds $100,000,000, as reasonably determined by FPL
Group.
(b) Capital Stock. (i) The authorized capital stock of FPL
Group consists of 800,000,000 shares of FPL Group Common Stock and 100,000,000
shares of serial preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the FPL Group
Preferred Stock and, together with the FPL Group Common Stock, the FPL
Group Capital Stock). At the close
of business on December 12, 2005, (A) 394,846,985 shares of FPL
Group Common Stock were issued and outstanding, of which 1,024,245 shares
were subject to future vesting requirements or risk of forfeiture back to FPL
Group or a right of repurchase by FPL Group (collectively, FPL Group
Restricted Stock; provided, however, that FPL Group Restricted
Stock shall not include any shares of FPL Group Common Stock that have been
allocated to participant accounts (which are accounted for in units composed of
undivided interests in FPL Group Common Stock and cash) under the leveraged employee
stock ownership plan provisions of the FPL Group
29
Group Employee Thrift Plan and the FPL Group Group Bargaining Unit
Employee Thrift Plan (together, the FPL Group Thrift Plans) but are
subject to forfeiture by the participants and a return to unallocated status under
the relevant vesting provisions (collectively, the FPL Group Unvested ESOP
Stock)), (B) no shares of FPL Group Common Stock were held by FPL
Group in its treasury, (C) 21,500,000 shares of FPL Group Common
Stock were reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the FPL Group
Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Non-Employee Directors Stock
Plan, the Gexa Corporation 2002 Non-Employee Director Option Plan, Gexa Corporation
Amended and Restated 2004 Incentive Plan and the Gexa Corporation Stock Option
Agreement with James Burke dated October 27, 2003 (such plans,
collectively, the FPL Group Stock Plans), of which (1) 7,341,059 shares
were subject to outstanding options to purchase shares of FPL Group Common
Stock with a weighted average exercise price of $27.39 per share granted under
the FPL Group Stock Plans (such outstanding options, together with any options
to purchase shares of FPL Group Common Stock granted after December 12,
2005, under the FPL Group Stock Plans, the FPL Group Employee Stock Options)
and (2) 2,070,000 shares were subject to deferred stock awards, phantom
stock awards or other restricted stock unit awards, in each case required to be
settled in shares of FPL Group Common Stock (such unit awards, together with
any other such awards granted after December 12, 2005, the FPL Group
Restricted Units), (D) 11,136,536 shares of FPL Group Common
Stock were reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the FPL Group Thrift
Plans, (E) 3,000,000 shares of FPL Group Preferred Stock were designated Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the FPL Group Series A Preferred
Stock) and reserved for issuance in accordance with the Rights Agreement
dated as of July 1, 1996, as amended, by and between FPL Group and Computershare
Investment Services, LLC, as successor Rights Agent (the FPL Group Rights
Agreement), pursuant to which FPL Group has issued rights (the FPL
Group Rights) to purchase such shares of FPL Group Series A Preferred
Stock, (F) 17,880,016 shares of FPL Group Common Stock were reserved
and are subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding purchase contracts in
connection with 10,120,000 Equity Units issued by FPL Group in June 2002
(the FPL Group Equity Units), (G) 6,887,882 shares of FPL
Group Common Stock were reserved for issuance under the FPL Group Dividend
Reinvestment and Common Share Purchase Plan (the FPL Group DRIP) and (H) 139,472 shares of FPL Group
Common Stock were reserved and are subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding
warrants issued by Gexa Corporation (the Gexa Warrants).
(ii) Except as set
forth in Section 3.02(b)(i) above, at the close of business on December 12,
2005, no shares of capital stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests
of FPL Group were issued, reserved for issuance, outstanding or held by FPL
Group in its treasury. As of the date of
this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 3.02(b)(i) above,
there were no outstanding options, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock
rights, performance awards, units, dividend equivalent awards, rights to
receive shares of FPL Group Common Stock on a deferred basis, rights to
purchase or receive FPL Group Common Stock or other rights that are linked to
the value of FPL Group Common Stock (each, a FPL Group Other Equity-Based
Award) issued or granted by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries to any
current or former director, officer, employee
30
or consultant of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries. For the avoidance of
doubt, the term FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards shall include FPL Group
Restricted Units. All outstanding shares
of FPL Group Common Stock are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to
the exercise of FPL Group Employee Stock Options will be, when issued in
accordance with the terms thereof, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable and not subject to or issued in violation of any purchase option,
call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or
any similar right under any provision of the FBCA, the articles of
incorporation of FPL Group as in effect from time to time, the by-laws of FPL
Group as in effect from time to time, or any contract to which FPL Group is a
party or otherwise bound. During the
period from December 12, 2005, to the date of this Agreement, there have
been no issuances, reservations for issuance or grants by FPL Group or any of
its subsidiaries of any shares of FPL Group Capital Stock (including FPL Group
Restricted Stock) or other voting securities or Equity Interests of FPL Group
(other than issuances or grants of shares of FPL Group Common Stock pursuant to
(i) the FPL Group DRIP, (ii) the FPL Group Thrift Plans in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (iii) the
exercise of FPL Group Employee Stock Options and the Gexa Warrants outstanding
on December 12, 2005, as required by their terms as in effect on December 12,
2005).
(iii) There are no
outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of FPL Group or any
of its subsidiaries having the right to vote on any matters on which holders of
capital stock or other Equity Interests of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries
may vote (FPL Group Voting Debt).
(iv) Except as set
forth above in this Section 3.02(b), as of the date of this Agreement,
there are (A) no Options to which FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or by which any of them is bound obligating FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or
sold, (1) shares of capital stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests
of, or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into any
capital stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests of, FPL Group or
any of its subsidiaries or (2) any FPL Group Voting Debt and (B) no
other rights the value of which is in any way based on or derived from, or that
give any person the right to receive any economic benefit or right similar to
or derived from the economic benefits and rights accruing to holders of capital
stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries. As of the date of this Agreement,
there are not any outstanding contractual obligations of FPL Group or any of
its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
capital stock of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries.
(v) Neither FPL Group
nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any voting agreement with respect to
the voting of any shares of capital stock or other voting securities or Equity
Interests of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries.
(vi) Except as
permitted by this Agreement, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock and
other voting securities or Equity Interests of each subsidiary of FPL Group are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned,
31
beneficially
and of record, by FPL Group or a subsidiary, free and clear of any Liens except
for any Liens granted in connection with project financings.
(c) Authority. FPL Group has full corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder
and, subject to obtaining FPL Group Shareholder Approval, to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The
Board of Directors of FPL Group has duly and validly adopted resolutions (i) adopting
this Agreement and approving this Agreement, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) determining that the terms of this
Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are fair
to and in the best interests of FPL Group and its shareholders, (iii) directing
that this Agreement be submitted to a vote at a meeting of FPL Groups
shareholders and (iv) recommending that FPL Groups shareholders approve
this Agreement, which resolutions have not been subsequently rescinded,
modified or withdrawn in any way. Except
as Section 5.06 or 5.08 expressly contemplates further action by the Board
of Directors of FPL Group, no other corporate proceedings on the part of FPL
Group or its shareholders are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement by FPL Group and the consummation by FPL
Group of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, other than
obtaining FPL Group Shareholder Approval.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by FPL Group
and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of FPL Group enforceable
against FPL Group in accordance with its terms.
(d) No Conflicts; Approvals and
Consents. (i) The execution
and delivery of this Agreement by FPL Group do not, and the performance by FPL
Group of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby will not, conflict with, result in a
violation or breach of, constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or
both) a default under, result in or give to any person any right of
payment or reimbursement, termination, cancellation, modification or
acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any
of the assets or properties of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of
the FPL Group Joint Ventures under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of (A) the articles or certificates of incorporation or by-laws (or other
comparable organizational documents) of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries,
or (B) subject to the obtaining of FPL Group Shareholder Approval and the
taking of the actions described in paragraph (ii) of this Section 3.02(d) and
obtaining the Constellation Required Statutory Approvals (assuming the accuracy
of the representations in Section 3.01(d)), (1) any Laws or Orders of
any Governmental Authority applicable to FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures or any of their respective
assets or properties, or (2) any note, bond, mortgage, security agreement,
agreement, indenture, license, franchise, Permit, concession, contract, lease
or other instrument to which FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
FPL Group Joint Ventures is a party or by which FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures or any of their respective
assets or properties is bound, excluding from the foregoing clause (B) such
conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights or Liens that, individually
or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have
a material adverse effect on FPL Group.
32
(ii) Except for (A) compliance
with, and filings under, the HSR Act; (B) the filing with, and to the
extent required, the declaration of effectiveness by the SEC of (1) the
Joint Proxy Statement with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, (2) the Form S-4
and (3) such reports under the Exchange Act as may be required in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (C) the
filing of documents with various state securities authorities that may be
required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; (D) such
filings with and approvals of the NYSE to permit the consummation of the Stock
Split and the listing on the NYSE of the shares of Constellation Common Stock
that are to be issued pursuant to Article II; (E) notice to, and the
consent and approval of, FERC under Section 203 of the Power Act; (F) the filing of an application to, and
consent and approval of, and transfer of or issuance of any required licenses
and license amendments by, the NRC under the Atomic Energy Act; (G) the
filing of (1) an amendment to the Constellation Articles to effect the Constellation
Charter Amendment immediately prior to the occurrence of the Effective Time
with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland and
(2) appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in
which Constellation is qualified to do business; (H) the filing of the
Articles of Merger and other appropriate merger documents required by the FBCA
with the Department of State of the State of Florida and appropriate documents
with the relevant authorities of other states in which FPL Group is qualified
to do business; (I) compliance with any such filings as may be required
under applicable Environmental Laws; (J) to the extent required, notice to and
the approval of, the Applicable PSCs; (K) the FCC Pre-Approvals; and (L) such
other items as disclosed in Section 3.02(d) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter (the items set forth above in clauses (A) through (H) and
(J), together with the items identified with an * in Section 3.02(d) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, collectively, the FPL Group Required
Statutory Approvals), no Consents or action of, registration,
declaration or filing with or notice to any Governmental Authority is necessary
or required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by FPL Group, the performance by FPL Group of its
obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby by FPL Group, other than such items that the
failure to make or obtain, as the case may be, individually or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on FPL Group or on Constellation and its prospective subsidiaries.
(e) SEC Reports, Financial
Statements and Utility Reports. (i)
FPL Group and its subsidiaries have filed or furnished each form, report,
schedule, registration statement, registration exemption, if applicable,
definitive proxy statement and other document (together with all amendments
thereof and supplements thereto) required to be filed or furnished by FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act with the SEC since January 1, 2002 (as such documents have since the
time of their filing or furnishment been amended or supplemented, the FPL
Group SEC Reports). As of their
respective dates, and after giving effect to any amendments or supplements
thereto, the FPL Group SEC Reports (A) complied as to form in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, as the case may be, and, to the extent in effect and applicable, the
requirements of SOX and (B) did not contain any untrue statement of a
33
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(ii) Each of the
principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of FPL Group
and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) (or each former
principal executive officer and principal financial officer of FPL Group and FPL,
as applicable) has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14
under the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of SOX and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder with respect to the FPL Group SEC
Reports. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, principal executive officer and principal financial officer shall
have the meanings given to such terms in SOX.
Since the effectiveness of SOX, neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries has arranged any extensions of credit to directors or executive
officers within the meaning of Section 402 of SOX.
(iii) The audited
consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements (including, in each case, the notes, if any, thereto) included in
the FPL Group SEC Reports (the FPL Group Financial Statements) complied
as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations
of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with GAAP as in
effect on the respective dates thereof applied on a consistent basis during the
periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto
and except with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q
of the SEC) and fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited
interim financial statements, to normal, recurring year-end audit adjustments
that were not or are not expected to be, individually or in the aggregate,
materially adverse to FPL Group) the consolidated financial position of FPL
Group and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and
the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective
periods then ended.
(iv) All filings required
to be made by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries since January 1, 2002,
under the Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and applicable state Laws and
regulations, have been filed with the SEC, the FERC, the DOE, the NRC, the FCC
or any applicable state public utility commissions (including, to the extent
required, the FPSC), as the case may be, including all forms, statements, reports,
agreements (oral or written) and all documents, exhibits, amendments and
supplements pertaining thereto, including all rates, tariffs, franchises,
service agreements and related documents, and all such filings complied, as of
their respective dates, with all applicable requirements of the applicable
statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, except for filings the
failure of which to make or the failure of which to make in compliance with all
applicable requirements of the applicable statute and the rules and
regulations thereunder, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group.
(v) The management of FPL
Group has designed and implemented disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act), or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed and implemented under
34
their
supervision, to ensure that material information relating FPL Group, including
its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the management of FPL Group by
others within those entities. Since the
date of the filing of FPL Groups most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, to FPL Groups outside auditors
and the audit committee of the Board of Directors of FPL Group have not been
advised of (A) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the
design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which could
reasonably be expected to adversely affect FPL Groups ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in FPL Groups internal control over financial reporting. Since December 31, 2004, any material
change in internal control over financial reporting required to be disclosed in
any FPL Group SEC Report has been so disclosed.
(vi) Since December 31,
2004, (A) neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the
knowledge of FPL Group, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountant or
representative of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries has received or
otherwise obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion
or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing
practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls relating to
periods after December 31, 2004, including any material complaint,
allegation, assertion or claim that FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries has
engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices (except for any of the
foregoing received after the date of this Agreement which have no reasonable
basis), and (B) to the knowledge of FPL Group, no attorney representing FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries, whether or not employed by FPL Group or any
of its subsidiaries, has reported evidence of a material violation of
securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation, relating to
periods after December 31, 2004, by FPL Group or any of its officers,
directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of FPL Group or any
committee thereof or to any director or executive officer of FPL Group.
(vii) Except for FPL, none
of FPL Groups subsidiaries is, or has at any time since January 1, 2003,
been, subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of
the Exchange Act.
(viii) FPL Group is
not and, at the Effective Time, will not be, an ineligible issuer as defined
in Rule 405 (as amended by SEC Rel. No. 33-8591 as published in
Vol. 70, No. 147 of the Federal Register, page 44722 et. seq. (August 3,
2005)) of the Securities Act.
(f) Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since December 31, 2004
to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any change, event or
development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group, and during such
period there has not been:
(i) (A) any granting by FPL Group
or any of its subsidiaries to any current director or executive officer of FPL
Group or FPL of any increase in
35
compensation, bonus, fringe or other benefits, other than (1) increases
in fringe or other benefits that are not material and that are granted in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (2) increases
in salaries or bonuses of current directors or executive officers of FPL Group or
FPL in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) any
granting by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries to any current director or
executive officer of FPL Group or FPL of any change of control, severance or
termination compensation or benefits or any increase therein, (C) any
entry by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries into, or any amendment to or
termination of, any FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement with any current
director or executive officer of FPL Group or FPL, or (D) any action taken
to fund or in any other way secure the payment, or to accelerate the vesting or
payment, of a material amount of compensation or benefits under any FPL Group
Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Stock Plan (or any grant or award
thereunder) or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement;
(ii) any change in accounting methods,
principles or practices by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries materially
affecting the consolidated assets, liabilities or results of operations of FPL
Group, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP; or
(iii) any authorization of, or
commitment or agreement to take, any of the actions described in clauses (i) and
(ii).
(g) Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. As of the date of this
Agreement, except for matters reflected or reserved against in the balance
sheet (or notes thereto) as of December 31, 2004, included in the FPL
Group Financial Statements, neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries has
any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or
otherwise, or whether due or to become due) of any nature that would be
required by GAAP, as in effect on the date thereof, to be reflected on a
consolidated balance sheet of FPL Group and its consolidated subsidiaries
(including the notes thereto), except liabilities or obligations (i) that
were incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
since December 31, 2004, or (ii) that, individually or in the aggregate,
have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on FPL Group. Neither FPL Group
nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a
party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar contract
or arrangement (including any contract relating to any transaction or
relationship between or among FPL Group and any of its subsidiaries, on the one
hand, and any unconsolidated affiliate, including any structured finance,
special purpose or limited purpose entity or person, on the other hand or any off-balance
sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K
of the SEC)), where the result, purpose or effect of such contract is to avoid
disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries, in FPL Groups or any of its subsidiarys
audited financial statements or other FPL Group SEC Reports.
36
(h) Legal Proceedings. Except for environmental matters, which are
the subject of Section 3.02(n), as of the date of this Agreement, (i) there
are no actions, suits, arbitrations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge
of FPL Group, threatened against, relating to or affecting, nor, to the
knowledge of FPL Group, are there any Governmental Authority investigations or
audits pending or threatened against, relating to or affecting, FPL Group or
any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures or any of their
respective assets and properties that, in each case, individually or in the
aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on FPL Group, and (ii) neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries
is subject to any Order of any Governmental Authority that, individually or in
the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on FPL Group.
(i) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by or on behalf of FPL Group for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is
filed with the SEC, at any time it is amended or supplemented or at the time it
becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (ii) the
Joint Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to FPL Groups
shareholders or Constellations stockholders or at the time of the FPL Group
Shareholders Meeting or the Constellation Stockholders Meeting, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Form S-4 and Joint Proxy Statement
will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that no
representation is made by FPL Group with respect to statements made or
incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by or on behalf
of Constellation or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
the Joint Proxy Statement.
(j) Permits;
Compliance with Laws and Orders. FPL
Group, its subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures hold all Permits
necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses as currently
conducted, except for failures to hold such Permits that, individually or in the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on FPL Group. FPL Group,
its subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures, and their respective
businesses as currently conducted, are in compliance with the terms of their
Permits, except failures so to comply that, individually or in the aggregate,
have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on FPL Group. FPL Group, its
subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures, and their respective businesses
as currently conducted, are not in violation of or default under any Law or Order
of any Governmental Authority, except for such violations or defaults that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. FPL Group is, and has been, in compliance in
all material respects with the provisions of SOX applicable to it on or prior
to the date of this Agreement and has implemented such programs and has taken
all reasonable steps
37
necessary to ensure FPL Groups future compliance (not later than the
relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines therefor) with all provisions of
SOX which shall become applicable to FPL Group after the date of this Agreement. This Section 3.02(j) does not relate to
matters with respect to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 3.02(k),
benefit plans, which are the subject of Section 3.02(l), Environmental
Laws, which are the subject of Section 3.02(n), and nuclear power plants,
which are the subject of Section 3.02(o).
(k) Taxes. (i) Except as, individually or in the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on FPL Group, (A) each of FPL Group, its subsidiaries, any
predecessor thereof and any member of any consolidated group of which any of
the foregoing is or has been a member (together, the FPL Group Taxpayers)
has timely filed, or has caused to be timely filed on its behalf, all Tax
Returns required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true, complete
and accurate and (B) the FPL Group Taxpayers have paid all Taxes required
to be paid by them other than Taxes that are not yet due or that are being
contested in good faith in appropriate proceedings.
(ii) Except as, individually or in the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on FPL Group, no deficiency with respect to any Taxes has been
proposed, asserted or assessed against any FPL Group Taxpayer (other than any
deficiency that has been paid or is being contested in good faith in
appropriate proceedings), and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any
such Taxes are pending.
(iii) The Federal income Tax Returns of
the FPL Group Taxpayers have been examined by and settled with the I.R.S. for
all years through 1987. All material
assessments for Taxes due with respect to such completed and settled
examinations or any concluded litigation have been fully paid.
(iv) Neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries (A) has been a member of an affiliated group (or similar
state, local or foreign filing group) filing a consolidated U.S. Federal income
Tax Return (other than the group the common parent of which is FPL Group) or (B) has
any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries) (1) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any
similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), or (2) as a transferee
or successor.
(v) There are no material Liens for
Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable) on the assets of
any FPL Group Taxpayer.
(vi) Within the past two years, neither
FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries has been a distributing corporation or
a controlled corporation in a distribution intended to qualify for tax-free
treatment under Section 355 of the Code.
38
(vii) Neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries has been a party to a transaction that constitutes a listed
transaction, for purposes of Section 6011 of the Code and applicable
Treasury Regulations thereunder (or a similar provision of state Law), that is
or may be subject to examination by the I.R.S.
To the knowledge of FPL Group, FPL Group has disclosed to Constellation
all reportable transactions within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b) (or
a similar provision of state Law) to which it or any of the FPL Group
subsidiaries has been a party.
(viii) Neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action or knows of any fact,
agreement, plan or other circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent or
impede the Merger from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code.
(ix) Neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or
indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or
arrangement exclusively between or among FPL Group and its subsidiaries).
(x) Each
FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan and each FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement
that is a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan subject to Section 409A
of the Code has been operated in compliance with Section 409A of the Code
since January 1, 2005, based upon a good faith, reasonable interpretation
of the 409A Authorities. No FPL Group
Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement that would be a
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan subject to Section 409A of the
Code but for the effective date provisions that are applicable to Section 409A
of the Code, as set forth in Section 885(d) of the AJCA, has been materially
modified within the meaning of Section 885(d)(2)(B) of the AJCA
after October 3, 2004, based on a good faith, reasonable interpretation of
the AJCA and the 409A Authorities.
(l) Employee
Benefit Plans; ERISA. (i) Except
for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group, (A) all
FPL Group Employee Benefit Plans have been operated, funded and administered in
compliance with their terms, the terms of any applicable collective bargaining
agreements and with all applicable requirements of Law, including ERISA and the
Code, (B) except for regular contribution, funding and vesting
requirements of the FPL Group Employee Benefit Plans, none of FPL Group, any of
its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliate has any liabilities or obligations
with respect to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plans, whether accrued,
contingent or otherwise, nor, to the knowledge of FPL Group, are any such
liabilities or obligations reasonably expected to be incurred, (C) each FPL
Group Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning
of Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and there are no
existing circumstances or events that would reasonably be expected to adversely
affect the qualified status of any such FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan, (D) there
are no audits, proceedings, claims
39
or investigations by any Governmental Authority pending or, to the
knowledge of FPL Group, threatened in connection with any FPL Group Employee
Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement, (E) no litigation
has been commenced with respect to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL
Group Employee Benefit Agreement and, to the knowledge of FPL Group, no such
litigation is threatened (other than routine claims for benefits in the normal
operation of such FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit
Agreement), (F) there have been no prohibited transactions as defined by
Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code with respect to any FPL
Group Employee Benefit Plan and (G) no fiduciary within the meaning of Section 3(21)
of ERISA has any liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other act or
omission with respect to the investment or administration of the assets of any FPL
Group Employee Benefit Plan. The only material
FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreements and material FPL Group Employee Benefit
Plans that exist on the date of this Agreement are disclosed in Section 3.02(l)
of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter.
(ii) As used herein:
(A) FPL Group
Employee Benefit Plan means any Plan entered into, established,
maintained, sponsored, contributed to or required to be contributed to by FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliates for the
benefit of the current or former employees or directors of FPL Group or any of
its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliate and existing on the date of
this Agreement or at any time subsequent thereto and on or prior to the
Effective Time, and, in the case of a Plan that is subject to Part 3 of
Title I of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA,
at any time during the five-year period preceding the date of this Agreement,
with respect to which FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any other FPL
Group ERISA Affiliate has or could reasonably be expected to have any present
or future actual or contingent liabilities;
(B) FPL Group
Employee Benefit Agreement means (1) any employment, deferred
compensation, consulting, severance, loan, termination or indemnification
agreement between FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and
any current director, executive officer or other employee of FPL Group or any
of its subsidiaries, on the other hand or (2) any change of control or
other agreement between FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand,
and any current director, executive officer or other employee of FPL Group or
any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, the benefits of which are
contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence
of a transaction involving FPL Group of a nature contemplated by this
Agreement; and
(C) FPL Group ERISA
Affiliate means any person who, on or before the Effective Time, is under
common control with FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 414
of the Code.
40
(iii) No event has
occurred, and there exists no condition or set of circumstances, in connection
with any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan that has had or would reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group.
(iv) None of FPL Group,
any of its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliate has incurred or could
reasonably be expected to incur any liability to the PBGC or to any FPL Group
Employee Benefit Plan that is an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA) under Section 302(c), 4062, 4063, 4064 or
4069 of ERISA, or otherwise as a result of the execution of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or in
combination with any other subsequent event), and no event or condition exists
or has existed that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of
any such liability by FPL Group, any subsidiary or any FPL Group ERISA
Affiliate. No such FPL Group Employee
Benefit Plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of
ERISA has been completely or partially terminated or been the subject of a reportable
event within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA as to which notices
would be required to be filed with the PBGC.
(v) None of FPL Group,
any of its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliate contributes to, has
any obligation to contribute to or has any present or future actual or
contingent liabilities (including withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201
of ERISA and any liability or obligation under Sections 4204 or 4212) with
respect to any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(vi) The execution of
this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
will not (either alone or in combination with any other subsequent event) (A) accelerate
the time of payment or vesting of, or increase the amount of, compensation or
benefits due to any current or former employee, director or officer of FPL
Group or its subsidiaries, (B) result in any forgiveness of indebtedness
or obligation to fund benefits with respect to any such employee, director or
officer, or (C) entitle any such employee, director or officer to
severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment or other benefit.
(vii) Other than payments that may be made to the persons
listed in Section 3.02(l)(vii) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter and
described in Section 3.02(l)(vii) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter,
based on FPL Groups reasonable good faith assumptions, (A) no amount that
could be received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a
result of the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(either alone or in combination with any other subsequent event) by any employee,
officer or director of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries who is a disqualified
individual (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any
employment, severance or termination agreement, other compensation arrangement
or FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement
would be characterized as an excess parachute payment (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of
the Code) and (B) no such disqualified individual is entitled to receive
any additional payment (e.g., any tax gross-up or other
payment) from
41
FPL Group or any
other person in the event that the excise tax required by Section 4999(a) of
the Code is imposed on such disqualified individual.
(viii) Neither FPL
Group nor any of its subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or has any
liability with respect to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group
Employee Benefit Agreement that provides any post-employment or
post-termination health, life or other welfare-type benefits, except where the
cost thereof is borne entirely by the former employee (or his or her eligible
dependents) or as required by Section 4980B(f) of the Code.
(m) Labor
and Employee Matters. Neither FPL
Group nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining
agreement or other labor agreement with any union or labor organization. As of the date of this Agreement, there are
no disputes pending or, to the knowledge of FPL Group, threatened between FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any trade union or other
representative of their respective employees, on the other hand, and there is
no charge or complaint pending or threatened in writing against FPL Group or
any of its subsidiaries before the NLRB, the EEOC or any other Governmental
Authority responsible for enforcing labor employment Laws except in each case
as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group, and, to the knowledge
of FPL Group, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no organizational
efforts presently being made involving any of the employees of FPL Group or any
of its subsidiaries. From January 1, 2002,
to the date of this Agreement, there has been no work stoppage, strike or other
concerted action by employees of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries and, to
the knowledge of FPL Group, no such action has been threatened in writing,
except in each case as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. Since January 1, 2000, neither FPL
Group nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any plant closing or mass
layoff, as defined in WARN, without complying with the notice requirements of
such Laws, except for such failures to comply with the notice requirements of
such Laws that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. With respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, each labor notice required to have been given under any Law
or collective bargaining agreement has been given or satisfied, other than as,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on FPL Group.
(n) Environmental
Matters. Except for any matters,
individually or in the aggregate, that have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group:
(i) Each of FPL Group, its subsidiaries
and the FPL Group Joint Ventures has been and is in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws.
(ii) Each of FPL Group, its
subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures has obtained all Environmental
Permits necessary for the construction of their
42
facilities and the conduct of their operations as of the date of this
Agreement, as applicable, and all such Environmental Permits are in good
standing or, where applicable, a renewal application has been timely filed and is
pending agency approval. FPL Group, its
subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures are in compliance with all terms
and conditions of such Environmental Permits, and no such Environmental Permits
will be revoked, modified or not renewed as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(iii) There is no Environmental Claim
pending or, to the knowledge of FPL Group, threatened:
(A) against FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL
Group Joint Ventures;
(B) against any person or entity whose liability for such
Environmental Claim has been retained or assumed either contractually or by
operation of Law by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL
Group Joint Ventures; or
(C) against any real or personal property or operations that FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures owns,
leases or operates in whole or in part, or, to the knowledge of FPL Group,
formerly owned, leased or operated, in whole or in part.
(iv) There have not been any Releases
of any Hazardous Material that would reasonably be expected to form the basis
of any Environmental Claim against FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any
of the FPL Group Joint Ventures.
(o) Operations
of Nuclear Power Plants. The
operations of the nuclear generation stations owned or operated, in whole or
part, by FPL Group or its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures,
as applicable (collectively, the FPL Group Nuclear Facilities) are and
have been conducted in compliance with all applicable Laws and Permits, except
for such failures to comply that, individually or in the aggregate, have not
had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL
Group. Each of the FPL Group Nuclear
Facilities maintains, and is in material compliance with, emergency plans
designed to respond to an unplanned Release therefrom of radioactive materials
and each such plan conforms with the requirements of applicable Law in all
material respects. The plans for the
decommissioning of each of the FPL Group Nuclear Facilities and for the storage
of spent nuclear fuel conform with the requirements of applicable Law in all
material respects and, solely with respect to the portion of the FPL Group
Nuclear Facilities owned, directly of indirectly, by FPL Group, the funding of
decommissioning and storage of spent nuclear fuel is consistent with applicable
Law. The operations of the FPL Group
Nuclear Facilities are not the subject of any outstanding notices of violation
or requests for information from the NRC or any other agency with jurisdiction
over such facility, except for such notices or requests for information that,
43
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. FPL Group and its subsidiaries and each of
the FPL Group Joint Ventures maintain liability insurance to the full extent
required by Law for operating the FPL Group Nuclear Facilities, and such
insurance regarding such facilities remains in full force and effect in all
material respects.
(p) Insurance. Except for failures to maintain insurance or
self-insurance that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group, from
January 1, 2004, through the date of this Agreement, each of FPL Group and
its subsidiaries has been continuously insured with financially responsible
insurers or has self-insured, in each case in such amounts and with respect to
such risks and losses as are customary for companies in the United States
conducting the business conducted by FPL Group and its subsidiaries during such
time period. Neither FPL Group nor any
of its subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or termination with
respect to any insurance policy of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, except
with respect to any cancellation or termination that, individually or in the
aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on FPL Group.
(q) Trading. FPL Group has established risk parameters,
limits and guidelines in compliance with the risk management policies approved
by the Finance and Investment Committee of the Board of Directors of FPL Group (the
FPL Group Trading Guidelines) and the Chief Executive Officer of FPL
Group has approved a VaR limit as set forth in Section 3.02(q) of the FPL
Group Disclosure Letter (the FPL Group Approved VaR Limit). Compliance with the FPL Group Trading Guidelines
is monitored by the Exposure Management Committee of FPL Group and reported to
the Chief Executive Officer of FPL Group and is reviewed annually with the Finance
and Investment Committee of the Board of Directors of FPL Group. FPL Group has provided the FPL Group Trading
Guidelines to Constellation prior to the date of this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) FPL
Groups VaR is in compliance with the FPL Group Approved VaR Limit, and FPL
Group and its subsidiaries are operating in compliance with the FPL Group
Trading Guidelines in all material respects and (ii) the aggregate net
positions in the trading and managed hedge portfolio (i.e.,
mark-to-market positions excluding non-qualifying hedges) of FPL Group and its
subsidiaries would not reasonably be expected to result in a material loss to FPL
Group and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, based on market prices in
existence as of the date of this Agreement. From September 30, 2005, to
the date of this Agreement, neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries has,
in accordance with its mark-to-market accounting policies, experienced an
aggregate net trading loss in FPL Groups trading and managed hedge portfolio (i.e.,
mark-to-market positions excluding non-qualifying hedges) that would be
material to FPL Group and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. For purposes of this Section 3.01(q) and
Section 4.02(h), VaR shall mean the value-at-risk of the mark-to-market
trading and managed hedge portfolio (i.e., mark-to-market positions excluding
non-qualifying hedges) of FPL Group and its marketing and trading subsidiaries
based on a two standard deviation move in prices and a one-day holding period.
44
(r) Vote
Required. Assuming the accuracy of
the representation and warranty of Constellation contained in Section 3.01(s),
(i) the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares
of FPL Group Common Stock entitled to be cast at the FPL Group Stockholder
Meeting (the FPL Group Shareholder Approval) is the only vote or
consent of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of FPL Group
or its subsidiaries required to approve this Agreement and (ii) except as
set forth in clause (i) of this sentence, the affirmative vote or
consent of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of FPL Group
or its subsidiaries is not necessary to consummate any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(s) Ownership
of Constellation Capital Stock.
Neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates
beneficially owns any shares of Constellation Common Stock or any other class
or series of Constellation Capital Stock.
None of FPL Group or any of its affiliates or associates is, or has
been within the two-year period immediately prior to the date of this
Agreement, an interested stockholder of Constellation as those terms are
defined in Section 3-601 of the MGCL.
(t) State
Anti-Takeover Statutes. Assuming the
accuracy of the representation and warranty of Constellation contained in Section 3.01(s),
FPL Group has taken all necessary actions, if any, so that the provisions of Article VI
of the restated articles of incorporation of FPL Group, as amended through the
date of this Agreement, and the provisions of Sections 607.0901 and
607.0902 of the FBCA will not, before the termination of this Agreement, apply
to this Agreement, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby.
(u) Joint
Venture Representations. Each
representation or warranty made by FPL Group in this Section 3.02 relating
to a FPL Group Joint Venture that is neither operated nor managed by FPL Group
or a FPL Group subsidiary shall be deemed made only to the knowledge of FPL
Group.
(v) Opinion of Financial Advisor. FPL Group has received the opinions of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Lehman Brothers
Inc., each dated the date of this Agreement to the effect that, as of the date
of this Agreement and based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein,
the Exchange Ratio, assuming the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, is
fair from a financial point of view to the shareholders of FPL Group.
(w) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other person, other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated and Lehman Brothers Inc., the fees and expenses of which
will be paid by FPL Group, is entitled to any brokers, finders, financial
advisors or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements
made by or on behalf of FPL Group.
(x) Rights
Agreement. FPL Group has taken all
actions necessary so that the execution of this Agreement and the consummation
of the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not
result in the grant of any
45
increased rights to any person under the FPL Group Rights Agreement or
enable, require or cause the FPL Group Rights to be exercised, distributed or
triggered. The Board of Directors of FPL Group has approved an amendment to the
FPL Group Rights Agreement to provide that the FPL Group Rights will terminate
upon the Effective Time.
ARTICLE IV
Covenants
SECTION 4.01. Covenants
of Constellation. From and after the
date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Constellation covenants and
agrees as to itself and its subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, that (except as
expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, as set forth in Section 4.01
of the Constellation Disclosure Letter or to the extent that FPL Group shall otherwise
previously consent in writing):
(a) Ordinary Course. Constellation and each of its subsidiaries
shall conduct their businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Constellation and its
subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact in
all material respects their present business organizations, to maintain in
effect all existing Permits, subject to prudent management of workforce and
business needs, to keep available the services of their key officers and
employees, to maintain their assets and properties in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, to maintain insurance on their
tangible assets and businesses in such amounts and against such risks and
losses as are currently in effect, to preserve their relationships with
Governmental Authorities, customers and suppliers and others having significant
business dealings with them and to comply in all material respects with all Laws,
Orders and Permits of all Governmental Authorities applicable to them.
(b) Charter Documents. Constellation shall not amend or propose to
amend its, or other than in a manner that would not materially restrict the
operation of their businesses, its subsidiaries, articles of incorporation or by-laws
(or other comparable organizational documents).
(c) Dividends. Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit
any of its subsidiaries to, (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends
on or make other distributions in respect of any of Constellation Capital Stock
or share capital, except:
(A) that Constellation
may continue the declaration and payment of regular quarterly cash dividends on
Constellation Common Stock, not to exceed $0.335 per share, with usual record
and payment dates for such dividends in accordance with past dividend practice;
provided, that (1) the per share amount of the regular quarterly
cash dividends on Constellation Common Stock declared during the 2006 calendar
year may exceed $0.335 by up to 13%, (2) the
per share amount of the regular quarterly
46
cash dividends
on Constellation Common Stock declared during the 2007 calendar year may exceed
by up to 13% the per share amount of the final regular quarterly cash dividend
on Constellation Common Stock declared during the 2006 calendar year in accordance
with clause (1) above, and (3) if the Effective Time does not occur
between a record date and payment date of a regular quarterly dividend, a
special dividend may be declared and paid in respect of Constellation Common
Stock with respect to the quarter in which the Effective Time occurs with a
record date in such quarter and on or prior to the date on which the Effective
Time occurs, which dividend does not exceed an amount equal to the product of (i) a
fraction the (x) numerator of which is equal to the number of days between
the last payment date of a regular quarterly dividend and the record date of
such special dividend (excluding such last payment date but including the
record date of such special dividend) and (y) the denominator of which is
equal to the number of days between the last payment date of a regular
quarterly dividend and the same calendar day in the third month after the month
in which such last payment date occurred (excluding such last payment date but
including such same calendar day), multiplied by (ii) the then permitted
quarterly dividend per share,
(B) for
the declaration and payment of dividends by a direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Constellation solely to its parent, or by a direct or indirect
partially owned subsidiary of Constellation (provided that Constellation or a Constellation
subsidiary receives or is to receive its proportionate share of such dividend
or distribution), and
(C) for
the declaration and payment of regular cash dividends with respect to preferred
stock of Constellations subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement and in accordance with their terms as in effect as of the date of
this Agreement or permitted to be issued under the terms of this Agreement, and
(ii) except for the Stock Split, split,
combine, reclassify or take similar action with respect to any of its capital
stock or share capital or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any
other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its
capital stock or comprised in its share capital,
(iii) adopt a plan of complete or
partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such
liquidation or a dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring,
recapitalization or other reorganization, or
(iv) except as disclosed in Section 4.01(c)(iv) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter, directly or indirectly redeem, repurchase
or otherwise acquire any shares of Constellation Capital Stock, any other
voting securities or Equity Interest of Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries, any Constellation Voting Debt, any Constellation Other Equity-Based
Award or any Option with respect to any of the foregoing except:
47
(A) in
connection with intercompany purchases of capital stock or share capital,
(B) for
the purpose of funding the Constellation Stock Plans or dividend reinvestment
and stock purchase plans,
(C) upon
forfeiture of shares of Constellation Restricted Stock for no consideration,
(D) mandatory
repurchases or redemptions of preferred stock of Constellations subsidiaries
in accordance with the terms thereof, or
(E) in
connection with the refinancing of capital stock at a lower cost of funds.
(d) Share Issuances. Except as disclosed in Section 4.01(d) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its subsidiaries to (i) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize
or propose the issuance, delivery or sale of, any shares of Constellation Capital
Stock, any other voting security or Equity Interest of Constellation or any of
its subsidiaries, any Constellation Voting Debt, any Constellation Restricted
Unit, any Constellation Performance Unit, any Constellation Other Equity-Based
Awards or any Option with respect to any of the foregoing (other than (A) the
issuance of Constellation Common Stock upon the exercise of Constellation Employee
Stock Options or the vesting of Constellation Restricted Units or Constellation
Performance Units in accordance with their terms (provided that the
number of shares of Constellation Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to
the vesting of Constellation Performance Units does not exceed the number of
shares subject to Constellation Performance Units on the date of this Agreement
(as set forth in Section 3.01(b)(i)(C))), (B) the issuance of Constellation
Common Stock in respect of the vesting or exercise of Constellation Other
Equity-Based Awards granted under the Constellation Stock Plans, the terms of
which contemplate such issuance of Constellation Common Stock, in accordance
with their terms, (C) the grant of Constellation Employee Stock Options, Constellation
Restricted Stock, Constellation Restricted Units, Constellation Performance
Units and Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards pursuant to the Constellation
Stock Plans in accordance with their terms providing for the issuance of up to
5,100,000 additional shares, in aggregate, of Constellation Common Stock
or equivalents thereof (provided, however, that any Constellation
Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock, Constellation
Restricted Units, Constellation Performance Units and Constellation Other
Equity-Based Awards granted after the date of this Agreement shall be granted
on terms pursuant to which such Constellation Employee Stock Options, Constellation
Restricted Stock, Constellation Restricted Units, Constellation Performance Units
and Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards (1) shall not vest on the Constellation
Stockholder Approval or otherwise in connection with the occurrence of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (2) shall not be cashed out or
terminated in connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (3) shall not entitle the holders thereof to any future grants of stock
options or other awards
48
(including any replacement option grants), whether in connection with
the occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise, and (4) shall
be adjusted at the Effective Time to reflect the Stock Split), (D) the pro
rata issuance by a subsidiary of its capital stock to its stockholders and (E) the
issuances of Constellation Common Stock pursuant to (1) the Constellation
DRIP and (2) the Constellation Savings Plan in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, or (ii) modify or amend any right
of any holder of outstanding shares of Constellation Capital Stock, any other
voting security or Equity Interest of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries,
any Constellation Voting Debt, any Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards or
any Option with respect to any of the foregoing, in each case other than to
give effect to Section 5.07.
(e) Acquisitions; Capital
Expenditures. (i) Except for
acquisitions identified in Section 4.01(e) of the Constellation
Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries
to, acquire or agree to acquire (whether by merger, consolidation, purchase or
otherwise) any person or assets, if (A) the amount to be expended pursuant
thereto exceeds $250,000,000 in any one transaction (or series of related transactions)
or $400,000,000 in the aggregate for all such acquisitions (provided that if
the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or prior to December 31,
2006, then the aggregate limit set forth in this clause (A) shall
automatically be increased from $400,000,000 to $650,000,000) or (B) any
such acquisition is reasonably likely, alone or together with any other
condition or event, to materially delay the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Sections 6.02(d) or 6.03(d) or prevent the satisfaction
of such conditions.
(ii) Except for (A) capital
expenditures identified in Section 4.01(e) of the Constellation Disclosure
Letter, (B) capital expenditures made in accordance with Constellation =s capital expenditure plan
included in Section 4.01(e) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter, (C) capital
expenditures (1) required by Law or Governmental Authorities or (2) incurred
in connection with the repair or replacement of facilities destroyed or damaged
due to casualty or accident (whether or not covered by insurance), and (D) other
capital expenditures in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $125,000,000 on
or prior to December 31, 2006, and (y) if the Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or prior to December 31, 2006, $125,000,000 from and
after January 1, 2007, Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of
its subsidiaries to, make any capital expenditures.
(f) Dispositions. Except as disclosed in Section 4.01(f) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its subsidiaries to, sell, lease, grant any security interest in
or otherwise dispose of or encumber any of its assets or properties or agree to
do so, other than (i) dispositions of obsolete equipment or assets or
dispositions of assets being replaced, in each case in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, (ii) dispositions by Constellation
of its utility assets in accordance with the terms of restructuring and
divestiture plans mandated or approved by applicable local or state regulatory
agencies, (iii) (A) dispositions having an aggregate value of less
than $150,000,000 on or prior to December 31, 2006, and (B) if the
Effective Time shall not have occurred
49
on or prior to December 31, 2006, dispositions not counted against
the foregoing clause (A) having an aggregate value of less than $150,000,000
from and after January 1, 2007, (iv) grants of Liens in connection
with project financings or (v) grants of Liens by BGE in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice in connection with the
issuance of indebtedness permitted by Section 4.01(g).
(g) Indebtedness. Except as disclosed in Section 4.01(g) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) incur or guarantee any indebtedness
or enter into any keep well or other agreement to maintain any financial
condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having the economic
effect of any of the foregoing (including any capital leases, synthetic
leases or conditional sale or other title retention agreements) other than (A) short-term
borrowings (including under revolving credit facilities) in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000 outstanding at any time for working
capital and cash collateral purposes if incurring such short-term borrowings is
not reasonably likely to cause the long-term credit rating of Constellation,
whether prior to or after giving effect to the transactions contemplated
hereby, as determined by any nationally recognized credit agency, to fall below
investment grade (provided that if the Effective Time shall not have
occurred on or prior to December 31, 2006, then the aggregate limit set
forth in this clause (A) shall automatically be increased from
$300,000,000 to $500,000,000), (B) letters of credit obtained in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice if obtaining such
letter of credit is not reasonably likely to cause the long-term credit rating
of Constellation, whether prior to or after giving effect to the transactions
contemplated hereby, as determined by any nationally recognized credit agency,
to fall below investment grade, (C) borrowings made in connection with the
refunding of existing indebtedness or refinancing of capital stock (including any
pre-funding or exchange) or any financing associated with any regulatory asset
created by any Law or Order of a Governmental Authority enacted, adopted or
issued after the date of this Agreement, (D) borrowings to finance capital
expenditures or acquisitions permitted pursuant to Section 4.01(e), (E) continuation
of guarantees existing as of the date of this Agreement, or (F) new
guarantees entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice if providing such guarantee is not reasonably likely to cause the
long-term credit rating of Constellation, whether prior to or after giving
effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, as determined by any nationally
recognized credit agency, to fall below investment grade; or (ii) make any
loans or advances to any other person except Constellation or any direct or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Constellation, other than loans or advances
in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000.
(h) Marketing of Energy; Trading. Constellation shall operate in compliance
with the Constellation Trading Guidelines in all material respects. In the event of any non-compliance, Constellation
shall take appropriate action to cure such non-compliance. The Constellation Trading Guidelines may be
amended from time to time by Constellations corporate risk management
committee to reflect Constellations business operations, provided that no such
amendment may increase the Constellation Approved VaR Limit in effect on the
date of this Agreement. If, at any time,
Constellations VaR exceeds the Constellation Approved VaR Limit,
50
Constellation shall notify FPL Group of such exceedance and shall take
appropriate action to reduce Constellations VaR to the Constellation Approved
VaR Limit.
(i) Employee Benefits. Except as required by the terms of any collective
bargaining agreement or Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation
Employee Benefit Agreement, in each case as in effect on the date of this
Agreement, or as required by Law (including the 409A Authorities), or as
disclosed in Section 4.01(i) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter, or
as otherwise specifically contemplated by this Agreement, Constellation shall
not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) enter into,
adopt, amend or terminate any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation
Employee Benefit Agreement (other than any amendment that is immaterial or
administrative in nature), or (ii) except for increases in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, increase in any manner the
compensation or benefits of any director, executive officer or other employee,
or pay any benefit not required by any plan or arrangement in effect as of the
date of this Agreement; provided, however, that the foregoing clauses (i) and
(ii) shall not restrict Constellation or its subsidiaries from (A) entering
into or making available to newly hired officers and employees or to officers
and employees in the context of promotions based on job performance or workplace
requirements, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, plans, agreements, benefits and compensation arrangements
(including incentive grants) that have, consistent with past practice,
been made available to newly hired or promoted officers and employees in
similar positions (provided, however, that, any change of
control, severance or termination compensation or benefits granted or
materially increased pursuant to this clause (A) shall not vest in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement), (B) entering
into or amending collective bargaining agreements with existing collective
bargaining representatives or newly certified bargaining units regarding
mandatory subjects of bargaining under applicable Law, in each of the cases
described in this clause (B) in a manner consistent with past
practice to the extent permitted by Law or (C) selectively increasing
compensation of an employee to competitive levels on a defensive basis in an
effort to retain such employee; provided that such employee is not an
executive officer and has no involvement in any such compensation decision, it being
understood that increases applicable to a broad group of employees are not
included within the scope of this clause (C).
(j) Regulatory
Status. Except as disclosed in Section 4.01(j)
of the Constellation Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its subsidiaries to, agree or consent to any material agreements
or material modifications of existing agreements or course of dealings with any
Governmental Authority in respect of the operations of their businesses, except
(i) as required by Law to renew Permits or agreements in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) to effect the
consummation of the Merger to the extent such agreements or modifications are
not reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material
adverse effect on Constellation or to materially delay the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Sections 6.02(d) or 6.03(d) or prevent
the satisfaction of such conditions.
51
(k) Accounting. Except as disclosed in Section 4.01(k)
of the Constellation Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its subsidiaries to, make any changes in their accounting
methods, or methods of accounting for Tax purposes, materially affecting the
reported consolidated assets, liabilities or results of operations of Constellation,
except as required by Law or GAAP.
(l) Insurance. Except as disclosed in Section 4.01(l)
of the Constellation Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall, and shall cause
its subsidiaries to, maintain with financially responsible insurance companies
(or through self-insurance, consistent with past practice) insurance in such
amounts and against such risks and losses as are customary for companies
engaged in their respective businesses.
(m) Taxes. Except as would not reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on Constellation, Constellation shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to (i) settle any claim, action or
proceeding relating to Taxes or (ii) make any Tax election (clause (k)
and this clause (m) being the sole provisions of this Section 4.01
governing Tax matters).
(n) Merger
Sub Actions. Constellation shall not
permit Merger Sub to take, or to commit to take, any action except for actions
in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby as
expressly set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 4.02. Covenants
of FPL Group. From and after the
date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, FPL Group covenants and agrees
as to itself and its subsidiaries that (except as expressly contemplated or
permitted by this Agreement, as set forth in Section 4.02 of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter or to the extent that Constellation shall otherwise
previously consent in writing):
(a) Ordinary Course. FPL Group and each of its subsidiaries shall
conduct their businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, FPL Group and its
subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact in
all material respects their present business organizations, to maintain in
effect all existing Permits, subject to prudent management of workforce and
business needs, to keep available the services of their key officers and
employees, to maintain their assets and properties in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, to maintain insurance on their
tangible assets and businesses in such amounts and against such risks and
losses as are currently in effect, to preserve their relationships with
Governmental Authorities, customers and suppliers and others having significant
business dealings with them and to comply in all material respects with all Laws,
Orders and Permits of all Governmental Authorities applicable to them.
(b) Charter Documents. FPL Group shall not amend or propose to amend
its, or, other than in a manner that would not materially restrict the operation
of
52
their businesses, its subsidiaries, articles of incorporation or by-laws
(or other comparable organizational documents).
(c) Dividends. FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any
of its subsidiaries to, (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or
make other distributions in respect of any of FPL Group Capital Stock or share
capital, except:
(A) that FPL
Group may continue the declaration and payment of regular quarterly cash
dividends on FPL Group Common Stock, not to exceed $0.355 per share, with usual
record and payment dates for such dividends in accordance with past dividend
practice; provided that (1) the per share amount of the regular
quarterly cash dividends on FPL Group Common Stock declared during the 2006
calendar year may exceed $0.355 by up to 6%, (2) the per share amount of
the regular quarterly cash dividends on FPL Group Common Stock declared during
the 2007 calendar year may exceed by up to 6% the per share amount of the final
regular quarterly cash dividend declared during 2006 in accordance with clause (1) above,
and (3) if the Effective Time does not occur between a record date and
payment date of a regular quarterly dividend, a special dividend may be
declared and paid in respect of FPL Group Common Stock with respect to the
quarter in which the Effective Time occurs with a record date in such quarter
and on or prior to the date on which the Effective Time occurs, which dividend
does not exceed an amount equal to the product of (i) a fraction the
(x) numerator of which is equal to the number of days between the last
payment date of a regular quarterly dividend and the record date of such
special dividend (excluding such last payment date but including the record
date of such special dividend) and (y) the denominator of which is
equal to the number of days between the last payment date of a regular
quarterly dividend and the same calendar day in the third month after the month
in which such last payment date occurred (excluding such last payment date but
including such same calendar day), multiplied by (ii) the then permitted
quarterly dividend per share,
(B) for
the declaration and payment of dividends by a direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of FPL Group solely to its parent, or by a direct or indirect
partially owned subsidiary of FPL Group (provided that FPL Group or a FPL Group
subsidiary receives or is to receive its proportionate share of such dividend
or distribution), and
(C) for
the declaration and payment of regular cash dividends with respect to preferred
stock of FPL Groups subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of this Agreement
and in accordance with their terms as in effect as of the date of this
Agreement or permitted to be issued under the terms of this Agreement,
and
53
(ii) split, combine, reclassify or take
similar action with respect to any of its capital stock or share capital or
issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in respect
of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or comprised
in its share capital,
(iii) adopt a plan of complete or
partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such
liquidation or a dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring,
recapitalization or other reorganization, or
(iv) except as disclosed in Section 4.02(c)(iv) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, directly or indirectly redeem, repurchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of FPL Group Capital Stock, any other voting
security or Equity Interest of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, any FPL
Group Voting Debt, any FPL Group Other Equity-Based Award or any Option with
respect to any of the foregoing except:
(A) in
connection with intercompany purchases of capital stock or share capital,
(B) for
the purpose of funding the FPL Group Stock Plans or dividend reinvestment and
stock purchase plans,
(C) upon
forfeiture of shares of FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Unvested ESOP
Stock for no consideration,
(D) mandatory
repurchases or redemptions of preferred stock of FPL Groups subsidiaries in
accordance with the terms thereof, or
(E) in
connection with the refinancing of capital stock at a lower cost of funds.
(d) Share Issuances. Except as disclosed in Section 4.02(d) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any
of its subsidiaries to (i) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize or propose
the issuance, delivery or sale of, any shares of FPL Group Capital Stock, any
other voting security or Equity Interest of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries, any FPL Group Voting Debt, or any FPL Group Other Equity-Based
Awards or any Option with respect to any of the foregoing (other than (A) the
issuance of FPL Group Common Stock upon the exercise of FPL Group Employee
Stock Options and Gexa Warrants in accordance with their terms, (B) the
issuance of FPL Group Common Stock in respect of the vesting or exercise of FPL
Group Other Equity-Based Awards granted under the FPL Group Stock Plans, the
terms of which contemplate such issuance of FPL Group Common Stock, in
accordance with their terms, (C) the grant of FPL Group Employee Stock
Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards
pursuant to the FPL Group Stock Plans in accordance with their terms, providing
for the issuance of up to 5,500,000 additional shares, in aggregate, of FPL
Group Common Stock or equivalents thereof (provided, however,
that any FPL Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL
Group Other Equity-Based Awards granted after
54
the date of this Agreement shall be granted on terms pursuant to which
such FPL Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group
Other Equity-Based Awards (1) shall not vest on the FPL Group Shareholder
Approval or otherwise in connection with the occurrence of the transactions
contemplated hereby, (2) shall not be cashed out or terminated in
connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby, (3) shall
not entitle the holders thereof to any future grants of stock options or other
awards (including any replacement option grants), whether in connection with
the occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise, and (4) shall,
at the Effective Time, be converted into options or other equity-based awards
to acquire or in respect of, as applicable, Constellation Common Stock in the
manner contemplated by Section 5.06), (D) the issuance of FPL Group
Preferred Stock in respect of FPL Group Rights, (E) the pro rata issuance
by a subsidiary of its capital stock to its shareholders, (F) the issuance
of FPL Group Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the FPL Group Equity
Units and (G) the issuance of FPL Group Common Stock pursuant to (1) the
FPL Group DRIP and (2) the FPL Group Thrift Plans in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice or (ii) modify or amend any
right of any holder of outstanding shares of FPL Group Capital Stock, any other
voting security or Equity Interest of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, any
FPL Group Voting Debt, any FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards or any Option
with respect to any of the foregoing, in each case other than to give effect to
Section 5.06.
(e) Acquisitions; Capital
Expenditures. (i) Except for
acquisitions identified in Section 4.02(e) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire (whether by merger, consolidation,
purchase or otherwise) any person or assets, if (A) the amount to be expended
pursuant thereto exceeds $250,000,000 in any one transaction (or series of related
transactions) or $400,000,000 in the aggregate for all such acquisitions
(provided that if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or prior to December 31,
2006, then the aggregate limit set forth in this clause (A) shall automatically
be increased from $400,000,000 to $650,000,000) or (B) any such acquisition
is reasonably likely, alone or together with any other condition or event, to
materially delay the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.02(d) or
6.03(d) or prevent the satisfaction of such conditions.
(ii) Except for (A) capital
expenditures identified in Section 4.02(e) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter, (B) capital expenditures made in accordance with FPL
Group=s capital
expenditure plan included in Section 4.02(e) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter, (C) capital expenditures (1) required by Law or
Governmental Authorities or (2) incurred in connection with the repair or
replacement of facilities destroyed or damaged due to casualty or accident
(whether or not covered by insurance), and (D) other capital expenditures
in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $125,000,000 on or prior to December 31,
2006, and (y) if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or prior to December 31,
2006, $125,000,000 from and after January 1, 2007, FPL Group shall not,
nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, make any capital expenditures.
55
(f) Dispositions. Except as disclosed in Section 4.02(f) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any
of its subsidiaries to, sell, lease, grant any security interest in or
otherwise dispose of or encumber any of its assets or properties or agree to do
so, other than (i) dispositions of obsolete equipment or assets or
dispositions of assets being replaced, in each case in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, (ii) dispositions by FPL Group of its
utility assets in accordance with the terms of restructuring and divestiture
plans mandated or approved by applicable local or state regulatory agencies, (iii) (A) dispositions
having an aggregate value of less than $150,000,000 on or prior to December 31,
2006, and (B) if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or prior to
December 31, 2006, dispositions not counted against the foregoing clause (A) having
an aggregate value of less than $150,000,000 from and after January 1,
2007, (iv) grants of Liens in connection with project financings or (v) grants
of Liens by FPL in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice in connection with the issuance of indebtedness permitted by Section 4.02(g).
(g) Indebtedness. Except as disclosed in Section 4.02(g) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any
of its subsidiaries to, (i) incur or guarantee any indebtedness or enter
into any keep well or other agreement to maintain any financial condition of
another person or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any
of the foregoing (including any capital leases, synthetic leases or conditional
sale or other title retention agreements) other than (A) short-term
borrowings (including under revolving credit facilities) incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice if incurring such
short-term borrowings is not reasonably likely to cause the long-term credit
rating of FPL Group, whether prior to or after giving effect to the
transactions contemplated hereby, as determined by any nationally recognized
credit agency, to fall below investment grade, (B) letters of credit
obtained in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice if
obtaining such letter of credit is not reasonably likely to cause the long-term
credit rating of FPL Group, whether prior to or after giving effect to the
transactions contemplated hereby, as determined by any nationally recognized
credit agency, to fall below investment grade, (C) borrowings made in
connection with the refunding of existing indebtedness or refinancing of
capital stock (including any pre-funding or exchange) or any financing
associated with any regulatory asset created by any Law or Order of a
Governmental Authority enacted, adopted or issued after the date of this
Agreement, (D) borrowings to finance capital expenditures or acquisitions
permitted pursuant to Section 4.02(e), (E) continuation of guarantees
existing as of the date of this Agreement or (F) new guarantees entered
into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice if
providing such guarantee is not reasonably likely to cause the long-term credit
rating of FPL Group, whether prior to or after giving effect to the
transactions contemplated hereby, as determined by any nationally recognized
credit agency, to fall below investment grade or (ii) make any loans or
advances to any other person except FPL Group or any direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Group, other than loans or advances in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000.
56
(h) Marketing of Energy; Trading. FPL Group shall operate in compliance with
the FPL Group Trading Guidelines in all material respects. In the event of any non-compliance, FPL Group
shall take appropriate action to cure such non-compliance. The FPL Group Trading Guidelines may be amended
from time to time by FPL Groups corporate risk management committee to reflect
FPL Groups business operations, provided that no such amendment may increase
the FPL Group Approved VaR Limit in effect on the date of this Agreement. If, at any time, FPL Groups VaR exceeds the FPL
Group Approved VaR Limit, FPL Group shall notify Constellation of such
exceedance and shall take appropriate action to reduce FPL Groups VaR to the FPL
Group Approved VaR Limit.
(i) Employee Benefits. Except as required by the terms of any collective
bargaining agreement or FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee
Benefit Agreement, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, or
as required by Law (including the 409A Authorities), or as disclosed in Section 4.02(i) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, or as otherwise specifically contemplated by
this Agreement, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, (i) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any FPL Group
Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement (other than any
amendment that is immaterial or administrative in nature), or (ii) except
for increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
increase in any manner the compensation or benefits of any director, executive
officer or other employee, or pay any benefit not required by any plan or
arrangement in effect as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however,
that the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not restrict FPL
Group or its subsidiaries from (A) entering into or making available to
newly hired officers and employees or to officers and employees in the context
of promotions based on job performance or workplace requirements, in each case
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, plans,
agreements, benefits and compensation arrangements (including incentive
grants) that have, consistent with past practice, been made available to
newly hired or promoted officers and employees in similar positions (provided,
however, that, any change of control, severance or termination
compensation or benefits granted or materially increased pursuant to this
clause (A) shall not vest in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement), (B) entering into or amending collective
bargaining agreements with existing collective bargaining representatives or
newly certified bargaining units regarding mandatory subjects of bargaining
under applicable Law, in each of the cases described in this clause (B),
in a manner consistent with past practice to the extent permitted by Law or (C) selectively
increasing compensation of an employee to competitive levels on a defensive
basis in an effort to retain such employee; provided that such employee is not
an executive officer and has no involvement in any such compensation decision,
it being understood that increases applicable to a broad group of employees are
not included within the scope of this clause (C).
(j) Regulatory
Status. Except as disclosed in Section 4.02(j)
of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit
any of its subsidiaries to, agree or consent to any material agreements or
material modifications of existing agreements or course of dealings with any
Governmental Authority in respect of the
57
operations of their businesses, except (i) as required by Law to
renew Permits or agreements in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice or (ii) to effect the consummation of the Merger to the
extent such agreements or modifications are not reasonably likely, individually
or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group or to materially
delay the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.02(d) or
6.03(d) or prevent the satisfaction of such conditions.
(k) Accounting. Except as disclosed in Section 4.02(k)
of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit
any of its subsidiaries to, make any changes in their accounting methods, or
methods of accounting for Tax purposes, materially affecting the reported
consolidated assets, liabilities or results of operations of FPL Group, except
as required by Law or GAAP.
(l) Insurance. Except as disclosed in Section 4.02(l)
of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, maintain with financially responsible insurance companies (or
through self-insurance, consistent with past practice) insurance in such
amounts and against such risks and losses as are customary for companies
engaged in their respective businesses.
(m) Taxes. Except as would not reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on FPL Group, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its subsidiaries to (i) settle any claim, action or
proceeding relating to Taxes or (ii) make any Tax election (clause (k)
and this clause (m) being the sole provisions of this Section 4.02
governing Tax matters).
SECTION 4.03. No
Solicitation by Constellation. (a) Constellation,
its subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, and their respective representatives
immediately shall cease and cause to be terminated any activities, discussions
or negotiations existing as of the date of this Agreement with respect to any Constellation
Takeover Proposal. Constellation shall
not, nor shall it authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries to, nor shall it
authorize or permit any director, officer, employee, investment banker,
financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other advisor, agent or
representative of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage (including by way
of furnishing information), or knowingly take any other action designed to
facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes or is
reasonably likely to lead to a Constellation Takeover Proposal or (ii) enter
into, continue or otherwise participate in any negotiations or substantive
discussions regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect
to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any Constellation Takeover
Proposal; provided, however, that if, at any time prior to
receipt of the Constellation Stockholder Approval (the Constellation
Applicable Period), the Board of Directors of Constellation determines in
good faith, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, that (x) a
Constellation Takeover Proposal that was not solicited by it and that did not
otherwise result from a breach of this Section 4.03(a) is, or is
reasonably likely to result in, a Constellation Superior Proposal, and (y) that
the failure to take any of the actions described in clauses (A) or (B) below
with respect to any such Constellation Takeover Proposal would be reasonably
likely to result in a breach of the fiduciary obligations of the Board of
Directors of Constellation to
58
the
stockholders of Constellation under applicable Law, then Constellation shall
promptly (but in any event within 24 hours following the time of such
determination and prior to taking the actions set forth in clauses (A) and
(B) below) provide to FPL Group written notice that shall (i) state
expressly that (1) it has received a Constellation Takeover Proposal and (2) Constellations
Board of Directors has made the determination set forth in clauses (x) and (y)
above with respect to such Constellation Takeover Proposal and (ii) also
contain such additional information as required by Section 4.03(c), if not
already provided pursuant to such section (such notice, the Constellation
Information Notice) and subject to its continuing compliance with Section 4.03(c),
Constellation may (A) furnish information with respect to Constellation
and its subsidiaries to the person making such Constellation Takeover Proposal
(and its representatives) pursuant to a customary confidentiality and
standstill agreement containing terms no less favorable to Constellation than
those set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement (the Confidentiality
Agreement) dated September 6, 2005, between Constellation and FPL
Group (provided that such confidentiality agreement shall not in any way
restrict Constellation from complying with its disclosure obligations under
this Agreement, including with respect to such proposal; provided further,
that to the extent permitted by Law Constellation will provide to FPL Group
copies of all written confidential information regarding the businesses of Constellation
and its subsidiaries provided by Constellation to the person making such Constellation
Takeover Proposal promptly following delivery thereof to such person unless
such information has previously been provided to FPL Group, in which case Constellation
shall only be obligated to promptly provide to FPL Group a list of such
information provided by Constellation to such person) and (B) participate
in discussions or negotiations regarding such Constellation Takeover Proposal.
For purposes
of this Agreement, Constellation Takeover Proposal means any bona fide
inquiry, proposal or offer from any person relating to (i) any direct or
indirect acquisition or purchase of a business or businesses that constitutes
10% or more of the net revenues, net income or the assets (including equity
securities) of Constellation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a Constellation
Material Business), (ii) any direct or indirect acquisition or
purchase of 10% or more of any class of voting securities of Constellation or
any subsidiary of Constellation owning, operating or controlling a Constellation
Material Business (a Constellation Material Business Subsidiary), (iii) any
tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person
beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of voting securities of Constellation
or any Constellation Material Business Subsidiary or (iv) any merger
(including any triangular merger), consolidation, business combination,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving Constellation
or any Constellation Material Business Subsidiary as a result of which a third
party or the stockholders of a third party would acquire 10% or more of the
voting securities of Constellation or such Constellation Material Business
Subsidiary, in each case other than the transactions, including divestitures,
contemplated by this Agreement or transactions solely among wholly owned
subsidiaries of Constellation.
(b) Except as contemplated by this Section 4.03, neither the
Board of Directors of Constellation nor any committee thereof shall (i) (A) recommend
the approval or adoption of any Constellation Takeover Proposal, (B) withdraw
or modify, in
59
a manner
adverse to FPL Group, the recommendation by such Board of Directors or such
committee of the Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance or any
other transaction contemplated hereby, (C) recommend that the stockholders
of Constellation reject the Constellation Charter Amendment or the Share
Issuance or (D) resolve, agree or propose publicly to take any of the
actions set forth in clauses (A) through (C) above (each such
action set forth in this Section 4.03(b)(i) being referred to herein
as a Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change), (ii) approve
or adopt, or resolve, agree or propose publicly to approve or adopt, any Constellation
Takeover Proposal, (iii) withdraw or modify, or resolve, agree or propose
publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to FPL Group, the approval
or adoption by such Board of Directors or such committee of this Agreement, the
Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance, the Merger or any other
transactions contemplated hereby, (iv) determine that the Constellation
Charter Amendment or the Share Issuance is no longer advisable to the extent
such determination is necessary in order to validly submit the Charter
Amendment or the Share Issuance to Constellation stockholders at the Constellation
Stockholders Meeting or (v) cause or permit Constellation to enter into
any letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, joint
venture agreement, partnership agreement or any other agreement (each, a Constellation
Acquisition Agreement) related to any Constellation Takeover Proposal
(other than a confidentiality and standstill agreement referred to in, and in
accordance with, Section 4.03(a)), or resolve, agree or propose publicly
to take any such actions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Constellation Applicable
Period, the Board of Directors of Constellation may make a Constellation
Adverse Recommendation Change, if (x) it determines in good faith, after
consulting with outside counsel, that the failure to take such action would be
reasonably likely to result in a breach of the fiduciary obligations of the Board
of Directors of Constellation to the stockholders of Constellation under
applicable Law and (y) the Board of Directors of Constellation has provided to FPL
Group seven business days prior written notice of its intent to effect a Constellation
Adverse Recommendation Change (which notice shall include the reasonable
details regarding the cause for, and nature of, the Constellation Adverse
Recommendation Change) and, if requested by FPL Group, negotiated in good faith
with FPL Group during such seven business day period regarding revisions to
this Agreement that would avoid such Constellation Adverse Recommendation
Change; provided that, if there are less than seven business days
remaining in the Constellation Applicable Period, references to seven business
days in this clause (y) shall be deemed to be the number of business days, if
any, remaining in the Constellation Applicable Period.
Notwithstanding any Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change, Constellation
shall nevertheless submit the Constellation Charter Amendment and the Share
Issuance to the stockholders of Constellation for the purpose of obtaining the Constellation
Stockholder Approval at the Constellation Stockholders Meeting and nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to relieve Constellation of such obligation,
unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms
prior to the Constellation Stockholders Meeting.
For purposes of this Agreement, a Constellation Superior Proposal
means any written Constellation Takeover Proposal that the Board of Directors
of
60
Constellation
determines in good faith (after consultation with a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation) to be more favorable to Constellations
stockholders than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement after taking into account, among other things:
(i) all financial considerations and financial aspects of such Constellation
Takeover Proposal and the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby,
(ii) all strategic considerations, including whether such Constellation
Takeover Proposal is more favorable from a long-term strategic standpoint,
(iii) all legal and regulatory considerations of such Constellation
Takeover Proposal and the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby,
(iv) the identity of the third party making such Constellation
Takeover Proposal,
(v) the conditions and likelihood of completion of such Constellation
Takeover Proposal as compared to the Merger and other transactions contemplated
hereby (taking into account any necessary regulatory approvals),
(vi) whether such Constellation Takeover Proposal is likely to
impose material obligations on Constellation (or the post-closing entity in
which Constellation stockholders will hold securities) in connection with
obtaining necessary regulatory approvals,
(vii) whether such Constellation Takeover Proposal is subject to
a financing condition and the likelihood of such Constellation Takeover
Proposal being financed, and
(viii) the payment of any Constellation Termination Fee, if
relevant,
provided
that in the definition of Constellation Takeover Proposal in Section 4.03(a) (x)
all of the references to 10% shall be deemed to be references to 50%, (y)
the reference to or any subsidiary of Constellation owning, operating or
controlling a Constellation Material Business shall be deemed to be deleted
and (z) all of the references to Constellation Material Business Subsidiary
shall be deemed to be deleted.
(c) In addition to the obligations of Constellation set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.03, to the extent
permitted by Law Constellation shall provide prompt written notice to FPL Group
of (i) any request for information by any person who has made or who the
Board of Directors or any senior executive officer of Constellation in good
faith believes is reasonably likely to make a Constellation Takeover Proposal
or (ii) any Constellation Takeover Proposal, in either case within
61
24 hours
of such request for information or the receipt of such Constellation Takeover
Proposal, which notice shall specify the principal terms and conditions of such
request or Constellation Takeover Proposal and the identity of the person
making such request or Constellation Takeover Proposal, and Constellation shall
keep FPL Group promptly informed of the status and details (including
amendments or proposed amendments, other than as to non-substantive or
immaterial matters) of any such request or Constellation Takeover Proposal.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 4.03 shall prohibit or
restrict Constellation from (i) taking and disclosing to its stockholders
a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the
Exchange Act or from making any disclosure to Constellations stockholders if,
in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of Constellation, after
consultation with outside counsel, failure so to disclose would be inconsistent
with its obligations under applicable Law or (ii) taking actions permitted
by Section 4.01(f).
SECTION 4.04. No Solicitation by FPL Group. (a) FPL Group, its subsidiaries and
their respective representatives immediately shall cease and cause to be
terminated any activities, discussions or negotiations existing as of the date
of this Agreement with respect to any FPL Group Takeover Proposal. FPL Group shall not, nor shall it authorize
or permit any of its subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any
director, officer, employee, investment banker, financial advisor, attorney,
accountant or other advisor, agent or representative of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly
encourage (including by way of furnishing information), or knowingly take any
other action designed to facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any
proposal that constitutes or is reasonably likely to lead to a FPL Group
Takeover Proposal or (ii) enter into, continue or otherwise participate in
any negotiations or substantive discussions regarding, or furnish to any person
any information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any FPL
Group Takeover Proposal; provided, however, that if, at any time
prior to receipt of the FPL Group Shareholder Approval (the FPL Group
Applicable Period), the Board of Directors of FPL Group determines in good
faith, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, that
(x) a FPL Group Takeover Proposal that was not solicited by it and that
did not otherwise result from a breach of this Section 4.04(a) is, or
is reasonably likely to result in, a FPL Group Superior Proposal, and
(y) that the failure to take any of the actions described in clauses (A) or
(B) below with respect to any such FPL Group Takeover Proposal would be
reasonably likely to result in a breach of the fiduciary obligations of the
Board of Directors of FPL Group to the shareholders of FPL Group under
applicable Law, then FPL Group shall promptly (but in any event within 24 hours
following the time of such determination and prior to taking the actions set
forth in clauses (A) and (B) below) provide to Constellation
written notice that shall (i) state expressly that (1) it has received
a FPL Group Takeover Proposal and (2) FPL Groups Board of Directors has
made the determination set forth in clauses (x) and (y) above with respect
to such FPL Group Takeover Proposal and (ii) also contain such additional
information as required by Section 4.04(c), if not already provided
pursuant to such section (such notice, the FPL Group Information
Notice) and subject to its continuing compliance with Section 4.04(c),
FPL Group may (A) furnish information with respect to FPL Group and
62
its
subsidiaries to the person making such FPL Group Takeover Proposal (and its
representatives) pursuant to a customary confidentiality and standstill
agreement containing terms no less favorable to FPL Group than those set forth
in the Confidentiality Agreement (provided that such confidentiality
agreement shall not in any way restrict FPL Group from complying with its
disclosure obligations under this Agreement, including with respect to such
proposal; provided further, that to the extent permitted by Law FPL
Group will provide to Constellation copies of all written confidential
information regarding the businesses of FPL Group and its subsidiaries provided
by FPL Group to the person making such FPL Group Takeover Proposal promptly following delivery thereof to such person unless
such information has previously been provided to Constellation, in which case FPL
Group shall only be obligated to promptly provide to Constellation a list of
such information provided by FPL Group to such person) and (B) participate
in discussions or negotiations regarding such FPL Group Takeover Proposal.
For purposes
of this Agreement, FPL Group Takeover Proposal means any bona fide
inquiry, proposal or offer from any person relating to (i) any direct or
indirect acquisition or purchase of a business or businesses that constitutes
10% or more of the net revenues, net income or the assets (including equity
securities) of FPL Group and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a FPL Group
Material Business), (ii) any direct or indirect acquisition or
purchase of 10% or more of any class of voting securities of FPL Group or any
subsidiary of FPL Group owning, operating or controlling a FPL Group Material
Business (a FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary), (iii) any
tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person
beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of voting securities of FPL Group
or any FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary or (iv) any merger (including
any triangular merger), consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving FPL Group or any FPL
Group Material Business Subsidiary as a result of which a third party or the
stockholders of a third party would acquire 10% or more of the voting
securities of FPL Group or such FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary, in each
case other than the transactions, including divestitures, contemplated by this
Agreement or transactions solely among wholly owned subsidiaries of FPL Group.
(b) Except as contemplated by this Section 4.04, neither the
Board of Directors of FPL Group nor any committee thereof shall (i) (A) recommend
the approval or adoption of any FPL Group Takeover Proposal, (B) withdraw
or modify, in a manner adverse to Constellation, the recommendation by such
Board of Directors or such committee of this Agreement, the Merger or any other
transaction contemplated hereby, (C) recommend that the shareholders of FPL
Group reject this Agreement or (D) resolve, agree or propose publicly to
take any of the actions set forth in clauses (A) through (C) above
(each such action set forth in this Section 4.04(b)(i) being referred
to herein as a FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change), (ii) approve
or adopt, or resolve, agree or propose publicly to approve or adopt, any FPL
Group Takeover Proposal, (iii) withdraw or modify, or resolve, agree or
propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Constellation,
the approval or adoption by such Board of Directors or such committee of this
Agreement, the Merger or any other transactions contemplated
63
hereby, (iv) determine
that this Agreement or the Merger is no longer advisable to the extent such
determination is necessary in order to validly submit the Agreement to FPL
Group shareholders at the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting or (v) cause or
permit FPL Group to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle,
acquisition agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or any
other agreement (each, a FPL Group Acquisition Agreement) related to
any FPL Group Takeover Proposal (other than a confidentiality and standstill
agreement referred to in, and in accordance with, Section 4.04(a)), or
resolve, agree or propose publicly to take any such actions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the FPL
Group Applicable Period, the Board of Directors of FPL Group may make a FPL
Group Adverse Recommendation Change, if (x) it determines in good faith,
after consulting with outside counsel, that the failure to take such action
would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of the fiduciary obligations of
the Board of Directors of FPL Group to the shareholders of FPL Group under applicable
Law, and (y) the Board of Directors of FPL Group has provided to Constellation
seven business days prior written notice of its intent to effect a FPL Group
Adverse Recommendation Change (which notice shall include the reasonable
details regarding the cause for, and nature of, the FPL Group Adverse
Recommendation Change) and, if requested by Constellation, negotiated in good
faith with Constellation during such seven business day period regarding
revisions to this Agreement that would avoid such FPL Group Adverse
Recommendation Change; provided that, if there are less than seven
business days remaining in the FPL Group Applicable Period, references to seven business
days in this clause (y) shall be deemed to be the number of business
days, if any, remaining in the FPL Group Applicable Period.
Notwithstanding any FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change, FPL Group
shall nevertheless submit this Agreement to the shareholders of FPL Group for
the purpose of obtaining the FPL Group Shareholder Approval at the FPL Group
Shareholders Meeting and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve FPL
Group of such obligation, unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in
accordance with its terms prior to the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting.
For purposes of this Agreement, a FPL Group Superior Proposal
means any written FPL Group Takeover Proposal that the Board of Directors of FPL
Group determines in good faith (after consultation with a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation) to be more favorable to FPL Groups
shareholders than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement after taking into account, among other things:
(i) all financial considerations and financial aspects of such FPL
Group Takeover Proposal and the Merger and other transactions contemplated
hereby,
(ii) all strategic considerations, including whether such FPL
Group Takeover Proposal is more favorable from a long-term strategic
standpoint,
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(iii) all legal and regulatory considerations of such FPL Group
Takeover Proposal and the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby,
(iv) the identity of the third party making such FPL Group
Takeover Proposal,
(v) the conditions and likelihood of completion of such FPL Group
Takeover Proposal as compared to the Merger and other transactions contemplated
hereby (taking into account any necessary regulatory approvals),
(vi) whether such FPL Group Takeover Proposal is likely to impose
material obligations on FPL Group (or the post-closing entity in which FPL
Group shareholders will hold securities) in connection with obtaining necessary
regulatory approvals,
(vii) whether such FPL Group Takeover Proposal is subject to a
financing condition and the likelihood of such FPL Group Takeover Proposal
being financed, and
(viii) the payment of any FPL Group Termination Fee, if relevant,
provided
that in the definition of FPL Group Takeover Proposal in Section 4.04(a) (x)
all references to 10% shall be deemed to be references to 50%, (y) the
reference to or any subsidiary of FPL Group owning, operating or controlling a
FPL Group Material Business shall be deemed to be deleted and (z) all the
references to FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary shall be deemed to be
deleted.
(c) In addition to the obligations of FPL Group set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.04, to the extent
permitted by Law FPL Group shall provide prompt written notice to Constellation
of (i) any request for information by any person who has made or who the
Board of Directors or any senior executive officer of FPL Group in good faith
believes is reasonably likely to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal or (ii) any
FPL Group Takeover Proposal, in either case within 24 hours of such
request for information or the receipt of such FPL Group Takeover Proposal, which
notice shall specify the principal terms and conditions of such request or FPL
Group Takeover Proposal and the identity of the person making such request or FPL
Group Takeover Proposal and FPL Group shall keep Constellation promptly informed
of the status and details (including amendments or proposed amendments, other
than as to non-substantive or immaterial matters) of any such request or FPL
Group Takeover Proposal.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 4.04 shall prohibit or
restrict FPL Group from (i) taking and disclosing to its shareholders a
position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange
Act or from making any disclosure to FPL Groups shareholders if, in the good
faith judgment of the Board of Directors of FPL Group, after consultation with
outside counsel, failure so to disclose would be
65
inconsistent
with its obligations under applicable Law or (ii) taking actions permitted
by Section 4.02(f).
SECTION 4.05. Other
Actions. Constellation, Merger Sub
and FPL Group shall not, and shall not permit any of their respective
subsidiaries to, take any action that would, or that would reasonably be
expected to, cause or result in (i) any of the representations and
warranties of such party set forth in this Agreement that is qualified as to
materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and
warranties that is not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect or (iii) any
condition to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being satisfied. Each
of Constellation and FPL Group shall give the other prompt written notice of
any (x) representation or warranty of such person that becomes inaccurate
to the extent such inaccuracy, either alone or together with other
inaccuracies, would reasonably be expected to result in a failure of the
conditions set forth in Section 6.02(a) or 6.03(a), as applicable, or
(y) material breach by such person of any covenant.
SECTION 4.06. Coordination
of Dividends. From the date of this
Agreement until the Effective Time, Constellation and FPL Group shall
coordinate with the other regarding the declaration and payment of dividends in
respect of shares of Constellation Common Stock and FPL Group Common Stock and
the record dates and payment dates relating thereto, it being the intention of Constellation
and FPL Group that no holder of Constellation Common Stock or FPL Group Common
Stock shall receive two dividends, or fail to receive one dividend, for any
single calendar quarter with respect to its shares of Constellation Common
Stock or FPL Group Common Stock, as the case may be, and/or any shares of Constellation
Common Stock any such holder receives in exchange therefor pursuant to the
Merger.
ARTICLE V
Additional Agreements
SECTION 5.01. Preparation
of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement; Shareholders/Stockholders
Meetings. (a) As soon as
practicable following the date of this Agreement, FPL Group and Constellation
shall prepare and file with the SEC the Joint Proxy Statement and Constellation
shall prepare and file with the SEC the Form S-4, in which the Joint Proxy
Statement will be included. Each of FPL
Group and Constellation shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Form S-4
declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after
such filing. FPL Group will use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to its
shareholders, and Constellation will use its reasonable best efforts to cause
the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to its stockholders, in each case as
promptly as practicable after the Form S-4 is declared effective under the
Securities Act. Constellation shall also
take any action required to be taken under any applicable state or provincial
securities Laws in connection with the issuance of Constellation Common Stock
in the Merger and each party shall furnish all information concerning itself
and its shareholders and stockholders, respectively, as may be reasonably
requested in connection with any such
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action. Constellation will advise FPL Group, promptly
after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Form S-4 has become
effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, the issuance of any
stop order, the suspension of the qualification of the Constellation Common
Stock issuable in connection with the Merger for offering or sale in any
jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC for amendment of the Joint Proxy
Statement or the Form S-4 or comments thereon and responses thereto or
requests by the SEC for additional information.
If prior to the Effective Time any event occurs with respect to FPL
Group, Constellation or any subsidiary of FPL Group or Constellation,
respectively, or any change occurs with respect to information supplied by or
on behalf of FPL Group or Constellation, respectively, for inclusion in the
Joint Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 that, in each case, is required to
be described in an amendment of, or a supplement to, the Joint Proxy Statement
or the Form S-4, FPL Group or Constellation, as applicable, shall promptly
notify the other of such event, and FPL Group or Constellation, as applicable,
shall cooperate with each other in the prompt filing with the SEC of any
necessary amendment or supplement to the Joint Proxy Statement and the Form S-4
and, as required by Law, in disseminating the information contained in such
amendment or supplement to FPL Groups shareholders and to Constellations
stockholders.
(b) FPL Group shall, as soon as
reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, duly call, give
notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the FPL Group
Shareholders Meeting) for the purpose of obtaining the FPL Group
Shareholder Approval. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, FPL Group agrees that (i) its obligations
pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 5.01(b) shall not be
affected by (A) the commencement, public proposal, public disclosure or
communication to FPL Group of any FPL Group Takeover Proposal or (B) any FPL
Group Adverse Recommendation Change, and (ii) no FPL Group Takeover
Proposal shall be presented to FPL Groups shareholders for approval at the FPL
Group Shareholders Meeting.
(c) Constellation shall, as soon as
reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, duly call, give
notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the Constellation
Stockholders Meeting) for the purpose of obtaining the Constellation
Stockholder Approval. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, Constellation agrees that (i) its
obligations pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 5.01(c) shall
not be affected by (A) the commencement, public proposal, public
disclosure or communication to Constellation of any Constellation Takeover
Proposal or (B) any Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change, and (ii) no
Constellation Takeover Proposal shall be presented to Constellations stockholders
for approval at the Constellation Stockholders Meeting.
(d) FPL Group and Constellation will
use their reasonable best efforts to hold the Constellation Stockholders
Meeting and the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting on the same date and as soon as
practicable after the date of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.02. Letters of
FPL Groups Accountants. FPL Group
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to Constellation
two letters from
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FPL Groups
independent accountants, one dated a date within two business days before the
date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective and one dated a date
within two business days before the Closing Date, each addressed to Constellation,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Constellation and customary in
scope and substance for comfort letters delivered by independent public
accountants in connection with registration statements similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION 5.03. Letters of
Constellations Accountants. Constellation
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to FPL Group two
letters from Constellations independent accountants, one dated a date within
two business days before the date on which the Form S-4 shall become
effective and one dated a date within two business days before the Closing
Date, each addressed to FPL Group, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to FPL Group and customary in scope and substance for comfort
letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION 5.04. Access to
Information; Confidentiality; Effect of Review. (a) Access. Subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, to
the extent permitted by applicable Law
each of FPL Group and Constellation shall, and shall cause each of its
respective subsidiaries to, afford to the other party, and to the officers,
employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives
of such other party, pursuant to integration policies to be adopted by the
integration leaders designated by each of Constellation and FPL Group,
reasonable access during normal business hours during the period prior to the
Effective Time to all their respective properties, books, contracts,
commitments, personnel and records and, during such period, to the extent
permitted by applicable Law, each of FPL Group and Constellation shall, and
shall cause each of its respective subsidiaries to, (i) confer on a
regular and reasonable basis with one or more representatives of the other
party to discuss material operational and regulatory matters and the general
status of its ongoing operations for purposes related to the completion of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, a partys
assessment of the proper accounting for such transactions, any public
disclosures that a party is required to make regarding such transactions and
reasonable access to management and systems needed for integration planning) or
the fulfillment of its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) advise the
other party of any change or event that has had or would reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on such party and (iii) furnish promptly
all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel, in
each case as such other party may reasonably request in connection with
activities relating to the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or the fulfillment of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however,
that (A) no actions shall be taken pursuant to this Section 5.04(a) that
(x) would result in a waiver of the attorney/client privilege or (y) could
reasonably be expected to result in violation of applicable Law, including
antitrust Laws, and (B) each of the parties shall, without being deemed to
have violated this Section 5.04, be permitted to continue to limit the
other partys access to its wholesale competitive supply business, retail
competitive supply business and wind business to aggregated information per
business line that takes due account of competitive considerations. Subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, to
the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of FPL Group and Constellation, so
long as
68
consistent
with its confidentiality obligations under its applicable agreements, shall use
its reasonable best efforts to cause each FPL Group Joint Venture and each
Constellation Joint Venture, respectively, to afford access and take such other
actions as would be required under the previous sentence as if it was a
subsidiary of FPL Group or Constellation, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a party
requests access to proprietary information of the other party, the disclosure
of which could reasonably be expected to materially impair the competitive
position or operations of the other party if the Closing were not to occur
(giving effect to the requesting partys obligations under the Confidentiality
Agreement), such information shall only be disclosed to the extent reasonably
agreed upon by the chief financial officers (or their designees) of FPL Group
and Constellation. Section 5.04(a) of
each of the Constellation Disclosure Letter and the FPL Group Disclosure Letter
sets forth additional procedures regarding access to information. All information exchanged pursuant to this Section 5.04(a) shall
be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement.
(b) Effect of Review. No review pursuant to this Section 5.04
shall have an effect for the purpose of determining the accuracy of any
representation or warranty given by any of the parties hereto to any of the
other parties hereto.
SECTION 5.05. Regulatory
Matters; Reasonable Best Efforts.
(a) Regulatory Approvals.
Each party hereto shall cooperate and promptly prepare and file all
necessary documentation, applications, notices, petitions and filings, and
shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals and
authorizations of all Governmental Authorities, necessary or advisable to
consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner reasonably
practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including the FPL Group Required Statutory Approvals and the Constellation
Required Statutory Approvals; provided, however, that FPL Group
shall have primary responsibility for the preparation and filing of any related
applications, filings or other materials with the FPSC and, provided further,
that Constellation shall have primary responsibility for the preparation and
filing of any related applications, filings or other materials with the
MPSC. FPL Group shall have the right to
review and approve in advance all characterizations of the information relating
to FPL Group, on the one hand, and Constellation shall have the right to review
and approve in advance all characterizations of the information relating to Constellation,
on the other hand, in either case, that appear in any application, notice,
petition or filing made in connection with the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. FPL
Group and Constellation agree that they will consult and cooperate with each
other with respect to the obtaining of all such necessary approvals and
authorizations of Governmental Authorities.
(b) Further Actions. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use its reasonable
best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to
be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all
things reasonably necessary or advisable to consummate and make effective, in
the most expeditious manner reasonably practicable, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) the defending
of any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial
69
or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including seeking to have any
stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental
Authority vacated or reversed, and (ii) the execution and delivery of any
additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, as used in this Section 5.05, reasonable best efforts
shall not include nor require any party to (i) sell, or agree to sell,
hold or agree to hold separate, or otherwise dispose or agree to dispose of any
asset, in each case if such sale, separation or disposition or agreement with
respect thereto would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on such party or on Constellation and its
prospective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) conduct or agree to
conduct its business in any particular manner if such conduct or agreement with
respect thereto would individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on such party or on Constellation and its
prospective subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(c) State Anti-Takeover Statutes. Without limiting the generality of Section 5.05(b),
FPL Group and Constellation shall (i) take all action necessary to ensure
that no state anti-takeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or
becomes applicable to the Merger, this Agreement or any of the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) if any state
anti-takeover statute or similar statute or regulation becomes applicable to
the Merger, this Agreement or any other transaction contemplated by this
Agreement, take all action necessary to ensure that the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as
reasonably practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and
otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.06. FPL Group
Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock, FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Awards, and FPL Group Stock Plans. (a) Prior to the Effective Time, the
Board of Directors of FPL Group (or, if appropriate, any committee
administering the FPL Group Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutions or take
such other actions as may be required to effect the following:
(i) adjust the terms of all outstanding
FPL Group Employee Stock Options granted under the FPL Group Stock Plans,
whether vested or unvested, as necessary to provide that, at the Effective
Time, each FPL Group Employee Stock Option outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted automatically, subject to the prior effectiveness
of the Stock Split, into an option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions
as were applicable under such FPL Group Employee Stock Option, including
vesting, a number of shares of Constellation Common Stock equal to the number
of shares of FPL Group Common Stock subject to such FPL Group Employee Stock
Option immediately before the Effective Time at an exercise price per share
equal to the exercise price per share of such FPL Group Employee Stock Option
immediately before the Effective Time (each, as so adjusted, a FPL Group
Adjusted Option);
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(ii) provide that each share of FPL
Group Restricted Stock shall be converted, subject to the prior effectiveness
of the Stock Split, into one share of Constellation Restricted Stock (each such
share, as so adjusted, the FPL Group Adjusted Restricted Stock), on
the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such share of FPL Group
Restricted Stock, including vesting;
(iii) adjust the terms of all
outstanding FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards, whether vested or unvested, as
necessary to provide that each such FPL Group Other Equity-Based Award
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be amended and
converted, subject to the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, into an
equity or equity-based award in respect of a number of shares of Constellation
Common Stock (each, a FPL Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Award)
equal to the number of shares of FPL Group Common Stock subject to such FPL
Group Other Equity-Based Award immediately before the Effective Time, on the
same terms and conditions as were applicable to such FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Award, including vesting, and, if such FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Award is subject to an exercise or subscription price, the
exercise or subscription price per share of such FPL Group Adjusted Other
Equity-Based Award shall be equal to the exercise or subscription price per
share of such FPL Group Other Equity-Based Award immediately before the
Effective Time (rounded up to the nearest whole cent);
(iv) use reasonable best efforts to
ensure (A) that the conversion pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of any
FPL Group Common Stock held by any director or officer of FPL Group who is
subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, (B) the conversion
pursuant to this Section 5.06(a) of any FPL Group Employee Stock
Options held by any such director or officer of FPL Group into FPL Group
Adjusted Options and (C) the conversion pursuant to this Section 5.06(a) of
any FPL Group Restricted Stock or FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards held by
any such director or officer of FPL Group into FPL Group Adjusted Restricted
Stock or FPL Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Awards, in each case will be
eligible for exemption under Rule 16b-3(e); and
(v) make such other changes to the FPL
Group Stock Plans as FPL Group and Constellation may agree are appropriate to
give effect to the Merger.
(b) As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, Constellation shall deliver to the holders of FPL Group
Adjusted Options, FPL Group Adjusted Restricted Stock and FPL Group Adjusted
Other Equity-Based Awards (collectively, the FPL Group Adjusted Awards)
appropriate notices setting forth such holders rights pursuant to the FPL
Group Stock Plans and the agreements evidencing the grants of such FPL Group
Adjusted Awards, and stating that such FPL Group Adjusted Awards and the
related agreements shall be assumed by Constellation and shall continue in
effect on the same terms and conditions, including with respect to vesting (subject
to the adjustments required by this Section 5.06 after giving effect to
the Merger).
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(c) Except as otherwise contemplated by
this Agreement and except to the extent required under the respective terms of
the FPL Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group
Other Equity-Based Awards, all restrictions or limitations on transfer and
vesting with respect to such FPL Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group
Restricted Stock and FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards, to the extent that
such restrictions or limitations shall not have already lapsed, shall remain in
full force and effect with respect to the applicable FPL Group Adjusted Awards after
giving effect to the Merger and the assumption of such awards by Constellation
as set forth above.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 5.06(a),
FPL Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group
Other Equity-Based Awards granted after the date of this Agreement, as
permitted by Section 4.02(d), (i) shall not vest on the FPL Group
Stockholder Approval or otherwise in connection with the occurrence of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) shall not be cashed out or
terminated in connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (iii) shall not entitle the holders thereof to any future grants
of stock options or other awards (including any replacement option grants), (iv) shall
be converted at the Effective Time into FPL Group Adjusted Awards and (v) shall
otherwise remain in full force and effect and be eligible to become vested in
accordance with their terms following the Effective Time.
(e) At the Effective Time, by virtue of
the Merger, the FPL Group Stock Plans shall be deemed assumed by Constellation,
with the result that all obligations of FPL Group under the FPL Group Stock
Plans, including with respect to awards outstanding at the Effective Time under
the FPL Group Stock Plans, shall be obligations of Constellation following the
Effective Time. Prior to the Effective
Time, Constellation shall take all necessary actions for the assumption of the FPL
Group Stock Plans by Constellation, including the reservation, issuance and listing
of Constellation Common Stock in a number at least equal to the number of
shares of Constellation Common Stock that will be subject to FPL Group Adjusted
Awards. As promptly as practicable
following the Effective Time, Constellation shall use reasonable best efforts
to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 (or
another appropriate form) registering a number of shares of Constellation
Common Stock determined in accordance with the preceding sentence. Such registration statement shall be kept
effective (and the current status of the prospectus or prospectuses required
thereby shall be maintained) at least for so long as FPL Group Adjusted Awards
remain outstanding.
SECTION 5.07. Constellation
Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock and Constellation
Performance Units. (a) Prior
to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Constellation (or, if
appropriate, any committee administering the Constellation Stock Plans) shall
adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect
the following:
(i) all unvested Constellation Employee
Stock Options granted under the Constellation Stock Plans on or prior to the
date of this Agreement and
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outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall immediately
vest at the Effective Time;
(ii) each holder of a Constellation
Employee Stock Option granted under the Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan or
the 2002 Senior Management Long-Term Incentive Plan on or prior to the date of
this Agreement and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will
become entitled, immediately following the Effective Time, to receive, in full
satisfaction of the rights of such holder with respect thereto, an amount in
cash equal to (A) the excess, if any, of the fair market value (as defined
in the applicable Constellation Stock Plan) (the Constellation Fair Market
Value) per share of Constellation Common Stock over the exercise price per
share of Constellation Common Stock subject to such Constellation Employee
Stock Option (as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split), multiplied by (B) the
number of shares of Constellation Common Stock subject to such Constellation
Employee Stock Option (as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split); provided
that amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(ii) shall be
subject to any required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for
exemption therefrom and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective
Time, without interest;
(iii) all outstanding Constellation
Employee Stock Options granted under the Management Long-Term Incentive Plan or
the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan, regardless of whether they were granted
before, on or after the date of this Agreement, (A) shall be adjusted at
the Effective Time to reflect the Stock Split and shall otherwise remain in
full force, (B) shall not be cashed out or terminated in connection with
the occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby, (C) shall not
entitle the holders thereof to any future grants of stock options or other
awards (including any replacement option grants) and (D) shall be
eligible to continue to become vested, if unvested immediately following the
Effective Time, and be exercised in accordance with their terms following the
Effective Time;
(iv) each share of Constellation
Restricted Stock and each Constellation Restricted Unit granted under the
Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 2002 Senior Management Long-Term
Incentive Plan on or prior to the date of this Agreement that is outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time that, in each case, is not a Constellation
Performance Stock Award (A) shall be adjusted at the Effective Time in
accordance with Section 5.18 to reflect the Stock Split and (B) shall
immediately vest at the Effective Time, with the holder of such vested share of
Constellation Restricted Stock or Constellation Restricted Unit becoming
entitled, immediately following the Effective Time, to receive, in full satisfaction
of the rights of such holder with respect to such award, an amount in cash
equal to the Constellation Fair Market Value of one share of Constellation
Common Stock (as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split); provided that
amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(iv)(B) shall be
subject to any required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for
exemption therefrom and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective
Time without interest;
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(v) each share of Constellation
Restricted Stock and each Constellation Restricted Unit granted under the
Management Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan on or
prior to the date of this Agreement that is outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time, regardless of whether or not such award is a Constellation
Performance Stock Award, in each case, shall be adjusted at the Effective Time
in accordance with Section 5.18 to reflect the Stock Split and (A) each
such share of Constellation Restricted Stock and each such Constellation
Restricted Unit that becomes vested at the Effective Time pursuant to the terms
of the applicable Constellation Stock Plan shall immediately vest at the
Effective Time, with the holder of such vested share of Constellation
Restricted Stock or vested Constellation Restricted Unit becoming entitled,
immediately following the Effective Time, to receive, in full satisfaction of
the rights of such holder with respect to such award, an amount in cash equal
to the Constellation Fair Market Value of one share of Constellation Common
Stock (as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split) (provided that amounts
payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(v)(A) shall be subject to
any required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for exemption
therefrom and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective Time without
interest), and (B) each such share of Constellation Restricted Stock and
each such Constellation Restricted Unit that does not become vested at the
Effective Time pursuant to the terms of the applicable Constellation Stock Plan
shall remain in full force and effect and be eligible to become vested in
accordance with its terms following the Effective Time; and
(vi) (A) each Constellation
Performance Unit granted under the Constellation Stock Plans on or prior to the
date of this Agreement that becomes vested at the Effective Time pursuant to
the terms of the applicable Constellation Stock Plan (based upon the number of
months from the start of the applicable performance period to the Effective
Time) shall immediately vest at the Effective Time, with the holder of each
such Constellation Performance Unit becoming entitled to receive, in full
satisfaction of the rights of such holder with respect to such award, an amount
in cash equal to $2; provided that amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(vi) (A) shall
be subject to any required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for
exemption therefrom and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective
Time without interest and (B) each Constellation Performance Unit granted
on or prior to the date of this Agreement that does not become vested at the
Effective Time pursuant to the terms of the applicable Constellation Stock Plan
shall expire at the Effective Time and the holder thereof shall be entitled to
no further payments or benefits with respect thereto.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of
the preceding Section 5.07(a), Constellation Employee Stock Options, Constellation
Restricted Stock, Constellation Restricted Units, Constellation Performance
Units and Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards granted after the date of
this Agreement, as permitted by Section 4.01(d), (i) shall not vest
on the Constellation Stockholder Approval or otherwise in connection with the
occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) shall not
74
be cashed out or terminated in connection with the occurrence of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) shall not entitle the holders
thereof to any future grants of stock options or other awards (including any replacement
option grants), (iv) shall be adjusted at the Effective Time to reflect
the Stock Split and (v) shall otherwise remain in full force and effect
and shall be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms following
the Effective Time.
(c) The Board of Directors of Constellation
(or, if appropriate, any committee administering the Constellation Stock Plans)
shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure (i) that the adjustment to
reflect the Stock Split in accordance with Section 5.18 of any Constellation
Common Stock held by any director or officer of Constellation who is subject to
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, (ii) that the cash-out of any
Constellation Employee Stock Options and Constellation Restricted Stock held by
any such director or officer of Constellation that are cashed out in accordance
with Section 5.07(a) and (iii) that the adjustment of any Constellation
Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock and Constellation Other
Equity-Based Awards held by such director or officer of Constellation that are
adjusted to reflect the Stock Split in accordance with Section 5.07(a) or
Section 5.07(b), in each case will be eligible for exemption under Rule 16b-3(e).
SECTION 5.08. Employee
Matters. (a) Following the
Effective Time, Constellation will (subject to Sections 5.06, 5.07, this Section 5.08
and Section 5.09), and will cause its subsidiaries to (i) honor all
obligations under any contracts, agreements, collective bargaining agreements,
plans and commitments (as such may be amended in accordance with this
Agreement) of FPL Group and its subsidiaries that exist on the date of this
Agreement (or as established or amended in accordance with or permitted by this
Agreement) that apply to any current or former employee, or current or former
director, of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) continue to
honor all obligations under any contracts, agreements, collective bargaining
agreements, plans and commitments (as such may be amended in accordance with
this Agreement) of Constellation and its subsidiaries that exist on the date of
this Agreement (or as established or amended in accordance with or permitted by
this Agreement) that apply to any current or former employee, or current or
former director, of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, including the
obligation to issue replacement options as described in Section 4.01(i) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter; provided, however, that the
undertakings set forth in this Section 5.08(a) are not intended to
prevent Constellation and its subsidiaries from enforcing such contracts,
agreements, collective bargaining agreements, plans and commitments (as such
may be amended in accordance with this Agreement) in accordance with their
respective terms, including any reserved right to amend, modify, suspend,
revoke or terminate any such contract, agreement, collective bargaining
agreement or commitment.
(b) At the Effective Time, it shall be
the intent of Constellation, that (subject to obligations under applicable Law
and applicable collective bargaining agreements) (i) any reductions in the
employee work force of Constellation and its subsidiaries shall be made on a
fair and equitable basis (as determined by Constellation and its subsidiaries),
in light of the circumstances and the objectives to be achieved,
75
giving consideration to previous work history, job experience and
qualifications and such other factors as Constellation and its subsidiaries
consider appropriate, without regard to whether employment prior to the
Effective Time was with FPL Group and its subsidiaries or Constellation and its
subsidiaries, and any employees whose employment is terminated or whose jobs
are eliminated by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries during such period
shall be entitled to participate on a fair and equitable basis (as determined
by Constellation and its subsidiaries) in the job opportunity and employment
placement programs offered by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries for
which they are eligible and (ii) employees shall be entitled to
participate in all job training, career development and educational programs of
Constellation and its subsidiaries for which they are eligible, and shall be
entitled to fair and equitable consideration (as determined by Constellation and
its subsidiaries) in connection with any job opportunities with Constellation and
its subsidiaries, in each case without regard to whether employment prior to
the Effective Time was with FPL Group and its subsidiaries or Constellation and
its subsidiaries.
(c) Subject to its obligations under
applicable Law and applicable collective bargaining agreements, Constellation and
its subsidiaries shall give credit under each of their respective employee
benefit plans, programs and arrangements to employees for all service prior to
the Effective Time with FPL Group or its subsidiaries, as applicable, or any
predecessor employer (to the extent that such credit was given by FPL Group or
any of its subsidiaries, as applicable) (Pre-Closing Service) for all
purposes for which such service was taken into account or recognized by FPL
Group or its subsidiaries, as applicable (including for benefit accrual
purposes under any defined benefit pension plans), but not to the extent
crediting such service would result in duplication of benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Constellation
and its subsidiaries shall only be required to provide credit for Pre-Closing
Service for benefit accrual purposes under a defined benefit pension plan if
such plan is a FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or if such plan has assumed the
assets or liabilities of a FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan.
SECTION 5.09. Indemnification,
Exculpation and Insurance. (a)
Constellation agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law,
all rights to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or
omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time now existing in favor of
the current or former directors, officers, employees or fiduciaries under
benefit plans currently indemnified by FPL Group and its subsidiaries or by Constellation
and its subsidiaries, as provided in their respective articles or certificates
of incorporation, by-laws (or comparable organizational documents) or other
agreements providing indemnification shall survive the Merger and shall
continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. In addition, from and after the Effective
Time, directors, officers, employees and fiduciaries under benefit plans
currently indemnified by FPL Group or its subsidiaries or by Constellation and
its subsidiaries who become or remain directors, officers, employees or
fiduciaries under benefit plans of Constellation will be entitled to the
indemnity rights and protections afforded to directors, officers, employees and
fiduciaries under benefit plans of Constellation.
76
(b) For six years after the Effective
Time, Constellation shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporations to,
maintain in effect the directors and officers liability (and fiduciary)
insurance policies currently maintained by Constellation and FPL Group covering
acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time with respect to those
persons who are currently covered by Constellations or FPL Groups, as the
case may be, directors and officers liability insurance policies on terms with
respect to such coverage and in amounts no less favorable than those set forth
in the relevant policy in effect on the date of this Agreement. If such insurance coverage cannot be
maintained, Constellation shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to,
maintain the most advantageous policies of directors and officers insurance
otherwise obtainable.
(c) The provisions of Section 5.09(a) (i) are
intended to be for the benefit of, and will be enforceable by, each indemnified
party, his or her heirs and his or her representatives and (ii) are in
addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification
or contribution that any such person may have by contract or otherwise.
SECTION 5.10. Fees and
Expenses. (a) Except as provided in this Section 5.10,
all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger, this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party
incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated, except
that each of Constellation and FPL Group shall bear and pay one-half of the
costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) the filing, printing
and mailing of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement (including SEC
filing fees) and (ii) the filings of the premerger notification and report
forms under the HSR Act (including filing fees).
(b) In the event that
(i) following
the Constellation Stockholder Approval, a Constellation Takeover Proposal shall
have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior executive officer
of Constellation or shall have been made directly to Constellations
stockholders or any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether
or not conditional) to make a Constellation Takeover Proposal and thereafter
this Agreement is terminated by either Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i),
(ii) prior
to or during the Constellation Stockholders Meeting (or any subsequent meeting
of Constellation stockholders at which it is proposed that the Constellation
Charter Amendment or the Share Issuance be approved), a Constellation Takeover
Proposal shall have been publicly disclosed or any person shall have publicly
announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation
Takeover Proposal and thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either
Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(iii), or
(iii) this
Agreement is terminated by FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i)
77
then subject
to clauses (A), (B) and (C) below, Constellation shall pay FPL Group,
upon the first to occur of such events, a fee equal to $425,000,000 (the Constellation
Termination Fee) in immediately available funds minus any amounts as may
have been previously paid by Constellation pursuant to Section 5.10(d) and
any fee as may have been previously paid pursuant to clause (B) of the
next sentence.
Notwithstanding
any provision herein to the contrary:
(A) no Constellation
Termination Fee shall be payable to FPL Group
(I) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (b)(i) unless prior to the 12 month
anniversary of such termination Constellation or any of its subsidiaries enters
into any Constellation Acquisition Agreement or consummates any Constellation
Takeover Proposal,
(II) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (b)(ii) unless prior to the 24 month
anniversary of such termination Constellation or any of its subsidiaries enters
into any Constellation Acquisition Agreement or consummates any Constellation
Takeover Proposal or
(III) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (b)(iii) unless (x) a Constellation Takeover
Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior
executive officer of Constellation or shall have been made directly to
Constellations stockholders or any person shall have publicly announced an
intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation Takeover
Proposal, (y) thereafter there shall occur a Constellation Adverse
Recommendation Change and (z) prior to the 24 month anniversary of the termination
of this Agreement by FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i) Constellation
or any of its subsidiaries enters into any Constellation Acquisition Agreement
or consummates any Constellation Takeover Proposal,
(for the
purposes of this clause (A), the terms Constellation Acquisition Agreement
and Constellation Takeover Proposal shall have the meanings assigned
to such terms in Section 4.03 except that the references to 10% in the
definition of Constellation Takeover Proposal in Section 4.03(a) shall
be deemed to be references to 35%);
(B) If
(x) a Constellation Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board
of Directors or any senior executive officer of Constellation or shall have
been made directly to Constellations stockholders or any person shall have
publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a
Constellation Takeover Proposal, (y) thereafter there shall occur a
Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change and (z) prior to the
termination of this Agreement by FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i),
the Constellation Stockholders Meeting shall have occurred and the
Constellation Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained, then
Constellation shall promptly after such Constellation Stockholder Approval was
not obtained pay to
78
FPL Group a fee equal to $100,000,000 (which
fee shall not be reduced by any amounts paid by Constellation pursuant to Section 5.10(d)),
and
(C) if
this Agreement is terminated by FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i) as
a result of the Board of Directors of Constellation (or any committee thereof)
having made a Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change primarily due to
adverse conditions, events or actions of or relating to FPL Group that would
result in the failure of a condition to each of Constellations and Merger Subs
obligations to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
to be satisfied, then the Constellation Termination Fee and/or the $100,000,000
fee described in clause (B) above shall not be payable and in any related
judicial, court or tribunal proceeding, whether brought or initiated by FPL
Group or Constellation, Constellation shall have the burden of proving that
such Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change was primarily due to such
adverse conditions, events or actions of or relating to FPL Group.
In any event,
the aggregate amount paid by Constellation pursuant to this Section 5.10(b) and
Section 5.10(d) shall not exceed $425,000,000.
Any
Constellation Termination Fee or other amount that becomes payable by
Constellation pursuant to this Section 5.10(b) shall be paid as
promptly as possible after the occurrence of the last requirement triggering
such payment hereunder by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
(c) In the event that
(i) following
the FPL Group Shareholder Approval, a FPL Group Takeover Proposal shall have
been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior executive officer of
FPL Group or shall have been made directly to FPL Groups shareholders or any
person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional)
to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal and thereafter this Agreement is
terminated by either Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i),
(ii) prior
to or during the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting (or any subsequent meeting of
FPL Group shareholders at which it is proposed that this Agreement be
approved), a FPL Group Takeover Proposal shall have been publicly disclosed or
any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not
conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal and thereafter this
Agreement is terminated by either Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(ii),
or
(iii) this
Agreement is terminated by Constellation pursuant to Section 7.01(e)(i),
then subject
to clauses (A), (B) and (C) below FPL Group shall pay Constellation,
upon the first to occur of such events, a fee equal to $650,000,000 (the FPL
Group Termination Fee) in immediately available funds minus any amounts as
may have been
79
previously
paid by FPL Group pursuant to Section 5.10(e) and any fee as may have
been previously paid pursuant to clause (B) of the next sentence.
Notwithstanding
any provision herein to the contrary:
(A) no
FPL Group Termination Fee shall be payable to Constellation
(I) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (c)(i) unless prior to the 12 month
anniversary of such termination FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries enters
into any FPL Group Acquisition Agreement or consummates any FPL Group Takeover
Proposal,
(II) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (c)(ii) unless prior to the 24 month
anniversary of such termination FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries enters
into any FPL Group Acquisition Agreement or consummates any FPL Group Takeover
Proposal or
(III) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (c)(iii) unless (x) a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior
executive officer of FPL Group or shall have been made directly to FPL Groups
shareholders or any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether
or not conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal, (y) thereafter there
shall occur a FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change and (z) prior to the
24 month anniversary of the termination of this Agreement by Constellation
pursuant to Section 7.01(e)(i) FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries
enters into any FPL Group Acquisition Agreement or consummates any FPL Group
Takeover Proposal,
(for the
purposes of this clause (A), the terms FPL Group Acquisition Agreement
and FPL Group Takeover Proposal shall have the meanings assigned to
such terms in Section 4.04 except that the references to 10% in the definition
of FPL Group Takeover Proposal in Section 4.04(a) shall be deemed
to be references to 35%),
(B) if
(x) a FPL Group Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of
Directors or any senior executive officer of FPL Group or shall have been made
directly to FPL Groups shareholders or any person shall have publicly
announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a FPL Group
Takeover Proposal, (y) thereafter there shall occur a FPL Group Adverse
Recommendation Change and (z) prior to the termination of this Agreement by
Constellation pursuant to Section 7.01(e)(i), the FPL Group Shareholders
Meeting shall have occurred and the FPL Group Shareholder Approval shall not
have been obtained, then FPL Group shall promptly after such FPL Group
Shareholder Approval was not obtained pay to Constellation a fee equal to
$100,000,000 (which fee shall not be reduced by any amounts paid by FPL Group
pursuant to Section 5.10(e)), and
(C) if
this Agreement is terminated by Constellation pursuant to Section 7.01(e)(i) as
a result of the Board of Directors of FPL Group (or any committee thereof)
having made a
80
FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change
primarily due to adverse conditions, events or actions of or relating to
Constellation that would result in the failure of a condition to FPL Groups
obligation to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
to be satisfied, then the FPL Group Termination Fee and/or the $100,000,000 fee
described in clause (B) above shall not be payable and in any related
judicial, court or tribunal proceeding, whether brought or initiated by FPL
Group or Constellation, FPL Group shall have the burden of proving that such
FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change was primarily due to such adverse
conditions, events or actions of or relating to Constellation.
In any event,
the aggregate amount paid by FPL Group pursuant to this Section 5.10(c) and
Section 5.10(e) shall not exceed $650,000,000.
Any FPL Group
Termination Fee or other amount that becomes payable by FPL Group pursuant to
this Section 5.10(c) shall be paid as promptly as possible after the
occurrence of the last requirement triggering such payment hereunder by wire
transfer of immediately available funds.
(d) If this Agreement is terminated (A) by
Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i) (and
following the Constellation Stockholder Approval a Constellation Takeover
Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors of Constellation
or any of its senior executive officers or shall have been made directly to
Constellations stockholders or any person shall have publicly announced an
intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation Takeover Proposal),
(B) by Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(iii) (after
the public disclosure of a Constellation Takeover Proposal or the announcement
by any person of the intention (whether or not conditional) to make a
Constellation Takeover Proposal) or (C) by FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i) (if
at any time prior to the Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change, a
Constellation Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of
Directors or any senior executive officer of Constellation or shall have been
made directly to Constellations stockholders or any person shall have publicly
announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation
Takeover Proposal), in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and
(C), unless Constellation has previously paid the Constellation Termination Fee
in full, Constellation shall reimburse FPL Group promptly upon demand, but in
no event later than three business days after the date of such demand, by wire
transfer of immediately available funds, for all reasonable out-of-pocket
third-party fees and expenses incurred, or paid by or on behalf of, FPL Group
in connection with the Merger or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses of outside
counsel, investment banking firms, outside accountants, third-party experts and
third-party consultants to FPL Group; provided, however, that
Constellation shall not be obligated to reimburse expenses pursuant to this Section 5.10(d) in
excess of $40,000,000 in the aggregate unless Constellation is or shall have
been required to pay FPL Group the $100,000,000 fee described in clause (B) of
the second sentence of Section 5.10(b) (in which event the
$40,000,000 limitation on Constellations reimbursement obligation shall not
apply).
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(e) If this Agreement is terminated (A) by
Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i) (and
following the FPL Group Shareholder Approval a FPL Group Takeover Proposal
shall have been made known to the Board of Directors of FPL Group or any of its
senior executive officers or shall have been made directly to FPL Groups
shareholders or any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether
or not conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal), (B) by
Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(ii) (after the
public disclosure of a FPL Group Takeover Proposal or the announcement by any
person of the intention (whether or not conditional) to make a FPL Group
Takeover Proposal) or (C) by Constellation pursuant to Section 7.01(e)(i) (if
at any time prior to the FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change, a FPL Group
Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any
senior executive officer of FPL Group or shall have been made directly to FPL
Groups shareholders or any person shall have publicly announced an intention
(whether or not conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal), in the
case of each of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), unless FPL Group
has previously paid the FPL Group Termination Fee in full, FPL Group shall
reimburse Constellation promptly upon demand, but in no event later than three
business days after the date of such demand, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds, for all reasonable out-of-pocket third-party fees and expenses
incurred, or paid by or on behalf of, Constellation in connection with the
Merger or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all
reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses of outside counsel, investment
banking firms, outside accountants, third-party experts and third-party
consultants to Constellation; provided, however, that FPL Group
shall not be obligated to reimburse expenses pursuant to this Section 5.10(e) in
excess of $40,000,000 in the aggregate unless the FPL Group is or shall have
been required to pay Constellation the $100,000,000 fee described in clause (B) of
the second sentence of Section 5.10(c) (in which event the
$40,000,000 limitation on FPL Groups reimbursement obligation shall not
apply).
(f) Constellation acknowledges that the
agreements contained in Sections 5.10(b) and 5.10(d) are an
integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that,
without these agreements, FPL Group would not enter into this Agreement;
accordingly, if Constellation fails promptly to pay the amount due pursuant to Section 5.10(b) or
5.10(d), and, in order to obtain such payment, FPL Group commences a suit that
results in a judgment against Constellation for the fees set forth in Section 5.10(b) or
5.10(d), Constellation shall pay to FPL Group its costs and expenses (including
attorneys fees and expenses) in connection with such suit, together with
interest on the amount of the fee at the prime rate of Citibank N.A. in effect
on the date such payment was required to be made.
(g) FPL Group acknowledges that the
agreements contained in Sections 5.10(c) and 5.10(e) are an
integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that,
without these agreements, Constellation would not enter into this Agreement;
accordingly, if FPL Group fails promptly to pay the amount due pursuant to Section 5.10(c) or
5.10(e), and, in order to obtain such payment, Constellation commences a suit
that results in a judgment against FPL Group for the fees set forth in Section 5.10(c) or
5.10(e), FPL Group shall pay to Constellation its
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costs and expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses) in
connection with such suit, together with interest on the amount of the fee at
the prime rate of Citibank N.A. in effect on the date such payment was required
to be made.
SECTION 5.11. Public
Announcements. Constellation and FPL
Group will consult with each other before issuing, and provide each other the
reasonable opportunity to review, comment upon and concur with, any press
release or other public statements with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, and shall not issue any
such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation, except as any party, after consultation with counsel, may
determine is required by applicable Law.
SECTION 5.12. Affiliates. As soon as practicable after the date of this
Agreement, FPL Group shall deliver to Constellation, a letter identifying all
persons who are, at the time this Agreement is submitted for approval by the
shareholders of FPL Group, affiliates of FPL Group for purposes of Rule 145
under the Securities Act. FPL Group
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause each such person to deliver to Constellation
as of the Closing Date, a written agreement substantially in the form attached
as Exhibit D hereto.
SECTION 5.13. NYSE
Listing. Constellation shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of Constellation Common Stock
issuable to FPL Groups shareholders as contemplated by this Agreement to be
approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, as
promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event
prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 5.14. Shareholder
Litigation. Each of Constellation
and FPL Group shall give the other the reasonable opportunity to consult
concerning the defense of any shareholder litigation against Constellation or FPL
Group, as applicable, or any of their respective directors relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.15. Tax
Treatment. It is intended that (a) the
Merger shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code, (b) this Agreement will constitute a plan of reorganization
for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code, and (c) FPL Group, Constellation
and Merger Sub will each be a party to the reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(b) of the Code. For
tax purposes, each of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub will report the
Merger in a manner consistent with this Section. Each of Constellation and FPL Group shall
not, and shall not permit any of their respective subsidiaries to, voluntarily
take any action, or fail to take any action, that would, or would reasonably be
expected to, result in (i) the inability of the Merger to constitute a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or (ii) the
inability of Constellation or FPL Group to obtain the opinions of counsel
referred to in Sections 6.02(c) and 6.03(c).
SECTION 5.16. Transfer
Taxes. All stock transfer, real
estate transfer, documentary, stamp, recording and other similar Taxes
(including interest, penalties and additions to any such Taxes) incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the
83
transactions
contemplated hereby (Transfer Taxes) shall be paid by FPL Group or the
Surviving Corporation. For the avoidance
of doubt, in no case shall Transfer Taxes be paid by shareholders of either FPL
Group or Constellation.
SECTION 5.17. Standstill
Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements.
During the period from the date of this Agreement through the Effective
Time, neither Constellation nor FPL Group shall terminate, amend, modify or
waive any provision of any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which it
or any of its respective subsidiaries is a party unless required by applicable Law
(including the Board of Directors fiduciary obligations) other than any
immaterial terminations, amendments, modifications or waivers. During such period, Constellation or FPL
Group, as the case may be, shall enforce, to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable Law, the provisions of any such agreement, including by obtaining
injunctions to prevent any breaches of such agreements and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions thereof.
SECTION 5.18. Stock
Split. Constellation shall take all
actions necessary to cause the Stock Split to become effective immediately
prior to the Effective Time (provided that Constellations obligation to cause
the Stock Split to become effective shall be subject to the prior satisfaction
or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable Law), as applicable, of each
of the conditions to the respective obligation of each party to effect the
Merger set forth in Article VI (other than Section 6.01(e))).
ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent
SECTION 6.01. Conditions
to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligation of each party to
effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the
Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Shareholder/Stockholder
Approvals. Each of the Constellation
Stockholder Approval and the FPL Group Shareholder Approval shall have been
obtained.
(b) No Injunctions or Restraints. No (i) temporary restraining order or
preliminary or permanent injunction or other Order by any Federal or state
court of competent jurisdiction preventing consummation of the Merger or (ii) applicable
Federal or state Law prohibiting consummation of the Merger (collectively, Restraints)
shall be in effect.
(c) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective
under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or
proceedings seeking a stop order.
(d) NYSE Listing. The shares of Constellation Common Stock
issuable to FPL Groups shareholders as contemplated by this Agreement shall
have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of
issuance.
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(e) Stock Split. The Stock Split shall have become effective.
SECTION 6.02. Conditions
to Obligations of Constellation and Merger Sub. The obligation of each of Constellation and
Merger Sub to effect the Merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of
the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties
of FPL Group set forth herein shall be true and correct both when made and at
and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time (except to the
extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date),
except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true
and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to materiality or material
adverse effect set forth therein) (A) does not have, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material
adverse effect on FPL Group and (B) would not reasonably be expected to
materially decrease the long-term value of FPL Group and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole.
(ii) The representations and warranties
of FPL Group set forth in Section 3.02(b) shall be true and correct
in all material respects both when made and at and as of the Closing Date, as
if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an
earlier date, in which case as of such date).
(b) Performance of Obligations of FPL
Group. FPL Group shall have
performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by
it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Tax Opinion. Constellation shall have received from Kirkland &
Ellis LLP, counsel to Constellation, on the Closing Date, its opinion, dated as
of such date, stating that (i) the Merger will qualify as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) that
each of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub will be a party to the
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel for Constellation
shall be entitled to rely upon representations of officers of Constellation, FPL
Group and Merger Sub substantially in the form set forth in Section 6.02(c) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter.
(d) Statutory Approvals. The Constellation Required Statutory Approvals
and the FPL Group Required Statutory Approvals shall have been obtained
(including, in each case, the expiration or termination of the waiting periods
(and any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act applicable to the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement) at or prior to the Effective Time,
such approvals shall have become Final Orders and such Final Orders shall not
impose terms or conditions that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (A) Constellation
and its prospective subsidiaries, (B) Constellation or (C) FPL Group
and (ii) would reasonably be expected to materially decrease the long-term
value of (A) Constellation and its prospective subsidiaries taken as a
whole, (B) Constellation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or
85
(C) FPL Group and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. A Final Order means action by the
relevant Governmental Authority that has not been reversed, stayed, enjoined,
set aside, annulled or suspended, with respect to which any waiting period
prescribed by Law before the transactions contemplated hereby may be
consummated has expired, and as to which all conditions to the consummation of
such transactions prescribed by Law, regulation or Order have been satisfied.
(e) No Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Filed FPL Group
SEC Reports or Section 3.02(f) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter,
since December 31, 2004, there shall not have been any change, event or
development that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group and (ii) would
reasonably be expected to materially decrease the long-term value of FPL Group
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(f) Closing Certificates. Constellation shall have received a
certificate signed by an executive officer of FPL Group, dated the Effective
Time, to the effect that, to such officers knowledge, the conditions set forth
in Sections 6.02(a), 6.02(b) and 6.02(e) have been satisfied.
SECTION 6.03. Conditions
to Obligations of FPL Group. The
obligation of FPL Group to effect the Merger is further subject to satisfaction
or waiver of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties
of Constellation and Merger Sub set forth herein shall be true and correct both
when made and at and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time
(except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of
such date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to
be so true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to materiality
or material adverse effect set forth therein) (A) does not have, and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
material adverse effect on Constellation and (B) would not reasonably be
expected to materially decrease the long-term value of Constellation and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(ii) The
representations and warranties of Constellation and Merger Sub set forth in Section 3.01(b) shall
be true and correct in all material respects both when made and at and as of
the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent
expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date).
(b) Performance of Obligations of Constellation. Constellation shall have performed in all
material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Tax Opinion. FPL Group shall have received from Cravath,
Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel to FPL Group, on the Closing Date, its
opinion, dated as of such date, stating that (i) the Merger will qualify
as a reorganization within the
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meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) that each
of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub will be a party to the
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel for FPL
Group shall be entitled to rely upon representations of officers of Constellation,
FPL Group and Merger Sub substantially in the form set forth in Section 6.03(c) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter.
(d) Statutory Approvals. The Constellation Required Statutory
Approvals and the FPL Group Required Statutory Approvals shall have been
obtained (including, in each case, the expiration or termination of the waiting
periods (and any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act applicable to the Merger
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) at or prior to the
Effective Time, such approvals shall have become Final Orders and such Final
Orders shall not impose terms or conditions that, individually or in the
aggregate, (i) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on (A) Constellation and its prospective subsidiaries, (B) Constellation
or (C) FPL Group and (ii) would reasonably be expected to materially
decrease the long-term value of (A) Constellation and its prospective
subsidiaries taken as a whole, (B) Constellation and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole or (C) FPL Group and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(e) No Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Filed Constellation
SEC Reports or Section 3.01(f) of the Constellation Disclosure
Letter, since December 31, 2004, there shall not have been any change,
event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) has had
or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation
and (ii) would reasonably be expected to materially decrease the long-term
value of Constellation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(f) Closing Certificates. FPL Group shall have received a certificate
signed by an executive officer of Constellation, dated the Effective Time, to
the effect that, to such officers knowledge, the conditions set forth in
Sections 6.03(a), 6.03(b) and 6.03(e) have been satisfied.
SECTION 6.04. Frustration
of Closing Conditions. Neither Constellation,
Merger Sub nor FPL Group may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.01,
6.02 or 6.03, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by
such partys material breach of this Agreement, or failure to use reasonable
best efforts to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement subject to the qualifications set forth in Section 5.05.
ARTICLE VII
Termination, Amendment and Waiver
SECTION 7.01. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Effective Time, only:
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(a) by mutual written consent of Constellation, Merger Sub and FPL
Group;
(b) by either Constellation or FPL Group:
(i) if
the Merger shall not have been consummated by December 31, 2006 (the Initial
Termination Date); provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(b)(i) shall
not be available to any party whose failure to perform any of its obligations
under this Agreement results in the failure of the Merger to be consummated by
such time; and provided, further, that, if on the Initial
Termination Date the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 6.01(b),
6.02(d) and/or 6.03(d) shall not have been fulfilled but all other
conditions to the Closing shall have been fulfilled or shall be capable of
being fulfilled, then the Initial Termination Date shall be extended to June 30,
2007;
(ii) if
the FPL Group Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained at a FPL Group
Shareholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or
postponement thereof;
(iii) if
the Constellation Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at a Constellation
Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or
postponement thereof;
(iv) if
any Restraint having any of the effects set forth in Section 6.01(b) shall
be in effect and shall have become final and nonappealable; provided that
the party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(b)(iv) shall
have used its reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of and to remove
such Restraint; or
(v) if
any condition to the obligation of such party to consummate the Merger set
forth in Section 6.02 (in the case of Constellation) or in Section 6.03
(in the case of FPL Group) becomes incapable of satisfaction prior to the
Initial Termination Date (or, if the Initial Termination Date is extended in
accordance with the second proviso to Section 7.01(b)(i), such date as
extended); provided, however, that the failure of any such
condition to be capable of satisfaction is not the result of a material breach
of this Agreement by the party seeking to terminate this Agreement.
(c) by Constellation, if FPL Group shall have breached or failed
to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or
failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set
forth in Section 6.02(a) or (b), and (B) is incapable of being
cured by FPL Group or is not
88
cured by FPL Group within 75 days following receipt of written
notice from Constellation of such breach or failure to perform;
(d) by FPL Group, if Constellation shall have breached or failed
to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or
failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set
forth in Section 6.03(a) or (b), and (B) is incapable of being
cured by Constellation or is not cured by Constellation within 75 days
following receipt of written notice from FPL Group of such breach or failure to
perform;
(e) by Constellation, if the Board of Directors of FPL Group (or
any committee thereof) (i) shall make any FPL Group Adverse Recommendation
Change or (ii) shall fail to reaffirm its recommendation of this Agreement,
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby within 15 business
days of receipt of Constellations written request at any time when a FPL Group
Takeover Proposal shall have been made and not rejected by the Board of
Directors of FPL Group (provided, that, such 15 business day period
shall be extended for 10 business days following any material modification
to such FPL Group Takeover Proposal occurring after the receipt of Constellations
written request and provided, further, that such 15 business
day period shall recommence each time a FPL Group Takeover Proposal has been
made following the receipt of Constellations written request by a person that
had not made a FPL Group Takeover Proposal prior to the receipt of Constellations
written request), provided, that, in the event that (x) the Board
of Directors of FPL Group publicly rescinds and repudiates any FPL Group
Adverse Recommendation Change and reaffirms its recommendation of this
Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby prior to
the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting or (y) the FPL Group Shareholder
Approval is obtained at the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting, Constellation shall
no longer be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(e) if
it has not done so prior to such rescission, repudiation and reaffirmation or
such FPL Group Shareholder Approval, as the case may be; or
(f) by FPL Group, if the Board of Directors of Constellation (or
any committee thereof) (i) shall make any Constellation Adverse
Recommendation Change or (ii) shall fail to reaffirm its recommendation of
the Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance and the other
transactions contemplated hereby within 15 business days of receipt of FPL
Groups written request at any time when a Constellation Takeover Proposal
shall have been made and not rejected by the Board of Directors of Constellation
(provided, that such 15 business day period shall be extended for
10 business days following any material modification to such Constellation
Takeover Proposal occurring after the receipt of FPL Groups written request
and provided, further, that such 15 business day period
shall recommence each time a Constellation Takeover Proposal has been made
following the receipt of FPL Groups written request by a person that had not
made a Constellation Takeover Proposal prior to the receipt of
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FPL Groups written request), provided, that, in the event that
(x) the Board of Directors of Constellation publicly rescinds and
repudiates any Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change and reaffirms its recommendation
of the Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance and the other
transactions contemplated hereby prior to the Constellation Stockholders
Meeting or (y) the Constellation Stockholder Approval is obtained at the Constellation
Stockholders Meeting, FPL Group shall no longer be entitled to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(f) if it has not done so
prior to such rescission, repudiation and reaffirmation or such Constellation
Stockholder Approval, as the case may be.
SECTION 7.02. Effect of
Termination. In the event of
termination of this Agreement by either Constellation or FPL Group as provided in
Section 7.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and have
no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of Constellation,
Merger Sub or FPL Group, other than the provisions of Section 3.01(w), Section 3.02(w),
the last sentence of Section 5.04(a), Section 5.10, Section 5.11,
this Section 7.02 and Article VIII, which provisions survive such
termination, and except to the extent that such termination results from the breach
by a party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
set forth in this Agreement, (other than a breach of such partys
representations or warranties that is not willful), in which case such
termination shall not relieve any party of any liability or damages resulting
from its breach of this Agreement (including any such case in which the FPL
Group Termination Fee or the Constellation Termination Fee is, or any expenses
of Constellation or FPL Group in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement are, payable pursuant to Section 5.10 to Constellation
or FPL Group, as the case may be (the Injured Party), to the extent
any such liability or damage suffered by the Injured Party exceeds the amount
of any such payment pursuant to Section 5.10 to the Injured Party).
SECTION 7.03. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
at any time before or after the Constellation Stockholder Approval or the FPL
Group Shareholder Approval; provided, however, that after any
such approval, there shall not be made any amendment that by Law requires
further approval by the stockholders and shareholders, respectively, of Constellation
or FPL Group without the further approval of such respective stockholders and
shareholders. This Agreement may not be
amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the
parties.
SECTION 7.04. Extension;
Waiver. At any time prior to the
Effective Time, a party may (a) extend the time for the performance of any
of the obligations or other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other parties
contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this
Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of Section 7.03, waive
compliance by the other parties with any of the agreements or conditions
contained in this Agreement. Any
agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid
only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such
party. The failure of any party to this
Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall
not constitute a waiver of such rights.
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SECTION 7.05. Procedure
for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver. A termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01,
an amendment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.03 or an extension or
material waiver pursuant to Section 7.04 shall, in order to be effective,
require, in the case of Constellation or FPL Group, action by its Board of
Directors or duly authorized designee of its Board of Directors. Termination of this Agreement prior to the
Effective Time shall not require the approval of the stockholders of FPL Group
or the shareholders of Constellation.
ARTICLE VIII
General Provisions
SECTION 8.01. Nonsurvival
of Representations and Warranties.
None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any
instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective
Time. This Section 8.01 shall not
limit any covenant or agreement of the parties that by its terms contemplates
performance after the Effective Time.
SECTION 8.02. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given (as of the time of delivery or, in the case of a telecopied
communication, of confirmation) if delivered personally, telecopied (which is
confirmed) or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the
parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as
shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to FPL Group, to
FPL Group, Inc.
700 Universe Boulevard
P.O. Box 14000
Juno Beach, FL 33408
Telecopy
No.: (561) 691-2988
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Attention:
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Edward F.
Tancer
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Vice
President and General Counsel
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with a copy
to:
Cravath,
Swaine & Moore LLP
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Telecopy
No.: (212) 474-3700
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Attention:
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Philip A.
Gelston, Esq.
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Sarkis
Jebejian, Esq.
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(b) if to Constellation or Merger Sub,
to
Constellation
Energy Group, Inc.
750 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Telecopy
No.: (410) 783-3609
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Attention:
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Irving
Yoskowitz
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Executive
Vice President and General Counsel
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with a copy
to:
Kirkland &
Ellis LLP
655 Fifteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005-5793
Telecopy
No.: (202) 879-5200
Attention: George P. Stamas, Esq.
SECTION 8.03. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) an affiliate of any person means another person that
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such first person, where control
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management policies of a person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract, as trustee or executor, or
otherwise;
(b) capital stock or shares of capital stock
means (a) with respect to a corporation, as determined under the Laws of
the jurisdiction of organization of such entity, capital stock or such shares
of capital stock; (b) with respect to a partnership, limited liability
company, or similar entity, as determined under the Laws of the jurisdiction of
organization of such entity, units, interests, or other partnership or limited
liability company interests; or (c) any other equity ownership or
participation;
(c) knowledge of any party means the actual knowledge,
as of the date the applicable representation is made, of the executive officers
(as such term is defined in Rule 3b-7 of the Exchange Act) of such party;
(d) material adverse effect means, when used in
connection with FPL Group or Constellation, any change, effect, event,
occurrence or state of facts (i) that is materially adverse to the
business, assets, properties, financial condition or results of operations of
such person and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (and of Constellation and its
prospective subsidiaries taken as a whole in the case of
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references to a material adverse effect on Constellation and its
prospective subsidiaries) other than any change, effect, event, occurrence or
state of facts arising out of or resulting from (A) (1) general
economic conditions in the United States or conditions of the financial or
commodities markets in general or (2) conditions generally affecting the
industries or business segments in which the applicable person or any of its
subsidiaries operates, in the case of each of clauses (1) and (2), to
the extent not disproportionately affecting the applicable person as compared
to other similarly situated persons, (B) the public announcement of the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby, and (C) changes to
GAAP, or (ii) that prevents such person from performing its material
obligations under this Agreement or prevents consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby;
(e) material subsidiary of any person as of a given date
means any significant subsidiary (as such term is defined under Rule 1-02(w)
of Regulation S-X) of such person.
(f) ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
means the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, as such
past practice may be reasonably affected by, or change in reasonable response
to, (i) the growth of the applicable persons business (or applicable
segment thereof) and/or (ii) changes in commodities prices.
(g) person means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership,
company, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, Governmental
Authority or other entity; and
(h) subsidiary of any person means another person, an
amount of the voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership
interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its board of
directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests,
50% or more of the Equity Interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly
by such first person.
SECTION 8.04. Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
a Section, Subsection, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section or
Subsection of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words include,
includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to
be followed by the words without limitation.
The words hereby, hereof, herein and hereunder and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The words date hereof shall refer to the
date of this Agreement. The term or is
not exclusive. The word extent in the
phrase to the extent shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing
extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply if. The definitions contained in this Agreement
are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms. Any agreement or instrument
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defined or
referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein
means such agreement or instrument as from time to time amended, modified or
supplemented. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and
assigns.
SECTION 8.05. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each
party and delivered to the other parties.
SECTION 8.06. Entire
Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
This Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to
herein) and the Confidentiality Agreement (i) constitute the entire
agreement, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written
and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement and (ii) except for the provisions of Section 5.09, are not
intended to confer upon any person other than the parties any rights or
remedies.
SECTION 8.07. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be
governed by, and construed in accordance with (a) the Laws of the State of
Maryland with respect to matters, issues and questions relating to the
fiduciary duties of the board of directors and officers of Constellation, (b) the
Laws of the State of Florida with respect to matters, issues and questions
relating to the Merger or the fiduciary duties of the board of directors and
officers of FPL Group, and (c) the Laws of the State of Delaware with
respect to all other matters, issues and questions regardless of the Laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of Laws.
SECTION 8.08. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of Law or otherwise by any of the parties hereto without the
prior written consent of the other party.
Any attempted or purported assignment in violation of the preceding
sentence shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever. Subject to the preceding two sentences, this
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable
by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 8.09. Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage
would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise
breached. It is accordingly agreed that
the parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent
breaches of this Agreement and to seek to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions of this Agreement in any Delaware state court, or in any Federal
court located in the State of Delaware, this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at Law or in equity. In addition, each of the parties irrevocably
agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or related to this
Agreement or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect hereof
brought by any other party hereto or its successors or assigns may be brought
and determined in any Federal court located in the State of Delaware or Court
of Chancery in and for New Castle County in the State of Delaware, and each of
the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, unconditionally,
with regard to
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any such
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence any action, suit
or proceeding relating thereto except in such courts). Each of the parties agrees further to accept
service of process in any manner permitted by such courts. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a
defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of
or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) any
claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named
courts for any reason other than the failure lawfully to serve process, (b) that
it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or
from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of
notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of
judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), (c) to the fullest extent
permitted by Law, that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such
court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit,
action or proceeding is improper, or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject
matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts, and (d) any right
to a trial by jury.
SECTION 8.10. Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of
Law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or
other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties
hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable Law in an acceptable manner to the end that the
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
SECTION 8.11. Waiver of
Jury Trial. Each party to this
Agreement waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any right
it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any action, suit or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub have caused this Agreement to
be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the
date first written above.
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FPL GROUP,
INC.,
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by
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/s/ Lewis Hay, III
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Name:
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Lewis Hay,
III
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Title:
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Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer
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CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.,
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by
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/s/ Mayo A. Shattuck III
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Name:
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Mayo A.
Shattuck III
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Title:
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Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer
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CF MERGER
CORPORATION,
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by
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/s/ Charles A. Berardesco
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Name:
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Charles A.
Berardesco
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Title:
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Senior Vice
President
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EXHIBIT A-1 TO THE MERGER
AGREEMENT
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
ARTICLES
OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation, having its principal office in
Baltimore, Maryland (which is hereinafter called the Corporation), hereby
certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: The Corporation desires to amend its Charter
as currently in effect and, as so amended, restate its Charter as currently in
effect. The provisions set forth in
these Articles of Amendment and Restatement and in the Articles Supplementary
filed as of [ ]
(1) are all the provisions of the Charter of the Corporation as currently in
effect, as so amended. From time to
time, the Corporation may elect by resolution of the Board, pursuant to
Articles Supplementary filed with the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland, to be or not to be subject to any or all provisions of
Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation Law.
SECOND: The Charter of the Corporation is hereby
amended by striking each of the Articles of the existing Charter of the
Corporation in their entirety (other than the Articles Supplementary filed as
of [ ]), and by
substituting in lieu thereof the following:
FIRST:
Corporate Name. The name of the corporation (the Corporation)
is Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
SECOND:
Principal Office; Resident Agent. The post office address of the principal
office of the Corporation in this State is 750 East Pratt Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21202. The post office address of the
other principal office of the Corporation is 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno
Beach, Florida 33408. The names and post
office address of the Resident Agent of the
(1) This refers to the
Articles Supplementary to be filed prior to the filing of this Charter.
Corporation in this State
are The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 300 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21202. Said Resident Agent is a
Maryland corporation.
THIRD:
Purposes. The nature of the business or purposes to be
conducted or promoted are:
(a) To
conduct or promote the energy business, including, but not limited to, the gas
and electric energy business.
(b) To
engage in and carry on any other business which may conveniently be conducted
in conjunction with any business of the Corporation, or otherwise, or that may
benefit the interests of the Corporation.
(c) To
have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effectuate any or all
of the purposes for which the Corporation is formed.
(d) In
general, to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be
organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland.
The
foregoing purposes shall, except when otherwise expressed, be in no way limited
or restricted by the terms of any other clause of this or any other article of
the Charter or of any amendment thereto, and shall each be regarded as
independent, and construed as powers as well as purposes.
The
Corporation shall be authorized to exercise and enjoy all of the powers, rights
and privileges granted to, or conferred upon, corporations by the general laws
of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force, and the enumeration of the
foregoing powers and purposes shall not be deemed to exclude any powers, rights
or privileges so granted or conferred.
FOURTH:
Duration. The duration of the Corporation is perpetual.
FIFTH:
Board of Directors.
(a) Management of Corporation. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
(b) Number.
The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than seven (7) members. The actual number of Directors shall be as
set forth in the by-laws.
(c) Vacancy.
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(i) Subject to Section 11(c)(i) of Article III of the by-laws
of the Corporation as such section is in effect on [ ](2), any vacancy on the
Board of Directors that results from any cause other than an increase in the number
of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors although
such majority is less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director.
(ii) Any
vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number
of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the Board of Directors.
(d) Removal.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class separately entitled to
elect one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors may
be removed from office at any time, but only for cause (as defined below) and
then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
combined voting power of all classes of shares of capital stock entitled to
vote in the election for directors voting together as a single class.
As
used in this Charter, cause shall mean dishonesty, fraud, intentional
material damage to the property or business of the Corporation, commission
(resulting in conviction) of a felony or other actions not meeting the standard
of care required of directors under the Maryland General Corporation Law.
(e) Other Voting Rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article FIFTH, whenever the holders of any class
or series of stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting
separately by class or series, to elect Directors at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and
other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the
Charter applicable thereto.
SIXTH:
Capital Stock.
(a) The
total amount of capital stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is [ ][( )]
shares, classified as follows:
(i) [ ][( )]
shares are Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, all of which are
authorized but unissued and unclassified Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time
to time in one or more series. The Board
of Directors is authorized, by resolution adopted and filed in accordance with
the Maryland General Corporation Law, to fix
(2) This [ ] will be the date of the Effective Time.
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the number of shares in
each series, the designation thereof, the voting powers, votes per share (which,
in any case, shall be no greater than one vote per share), preferences,
relative participating, optional or other rights thereof, conversion rights,
redemption, put and sinking fund provisions, the qualifications or restrictions
thereon, dividend rights, and the terms or conditions of redemption, of each
series and the variations in such voting powers and preferences and rights as
between series. Any shares of any class
or series of Preferred Stock purchased, exchanged, converted or otherwise
acquired by the Corporation, in any manner whatsoever, shall be retired and
cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation
become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation
as to series, and may be reissued as part of any series of Preferred Stock
created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to the
conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth in these Articles of
Incorporation or in such resolution or resolutions; and
(ii) the
balance, [ ][( )]
shares without par value, is Common Stock of which [ ][( )]
shares have either been issued and are now outstanding or have been reserved
for issuance and [ ][( )]
shares are authorized but unissued and unreserved.
(b)
The following is a description of the preferences, conversion and other rights,
voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and
terms and conditions of redemption of the Common Stock of the Corporation:
(i) Each
share of Common Stock shall have one vote, and, except as otherwise provided in
respect of any class of stock hereafter classified or reclassified, the
exclusive voting power for all purposes shall be vested in the holders of the
Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock
shall not have cumulative voting rights.
(ii) Subject
to the provisions of law and any preferences of any class of stock hereafter
classified or reclassified, dividends, including dividends payable in shares of
another class of the Corporations stock, may be paid ratably on the Common
Stock at such time and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may deem
advisable.
(iii) In the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled, together with
the holders of any other class of stock hereafter classified or reclassified
not having a preference on distributions in the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the
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Corporation, to share ratably in the net assets of the
Corporation remaining, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and
other liabilities of the Corporation and the amount to which the holders of any
class of stock hereafter classified or reclassified having a preference on
distributions in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation
shall be entitled.
SEVENTH: Powers of the Corporation. The following provisions are hereby adopted
for the purpose of defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the
Corporation and its Directors and stockholders:
(a) The
Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby empowered to authorize the
issuance from time to time of shares of its stock of any class, whether now or
hereafter authorized, or securities convertible into shares of its stock of any
class, whether now or hereafter authorized, without the approval of the
stockholders of the Corporation for such consideration as is determined by the
Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Notwithstanding
any other provision contained in the Charter, the Board of Directors of the
Corporation may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock of any or all classes or series authorized under the
Charter without certificates. This
authorization shall not affect shares already represented by certificates
outstanding until they are surrendered to the Corporation.
(c) No
stockholder of the Corporation shall have preferential or preemptive rights to
subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any stock or other securities of
the Corporation, now or hereafter authorized, and any and all preemptive rights
are hereby denied.
(d) The
Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment of its
Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment which
alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any outstanding
stock.
(e) The
Board of Directors may classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock of
the Corporation (whether or not such shares have been previously classified or
reclassified) by setting or changing in any one or more respects, from time to
time before issuance of such shares, the class and series designations of
shares of capital stock or setting or changing the preferences, conversion and
other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares.
(f) With
respect to any corporate action to be taken by the Corporation which, under the
Maryland General Corporation Law, would (in the absence of this subparagraph
(f)) require
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the authorization or
approval of a greater proportion than a majority of all votes entitled to be
cast for such action to be effective and valid, such corporate action shall be
effective and valid if authorized or approved by at least a majority of all the
votes entitled to be cast thereon, after due authorization and/or approval
and/or advice of such action by the Board of Directors as required by law.
(g) The
enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Board of Directors included
in the foregoing shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or
inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other Article of
the Charter, or construed as or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner
to exclude or limit any powers conferred upon the Board of Directors under the
General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force.
EIGHTH: Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.
(a) (i) The
Corporation shall indemnify
(A) its
then current and former Directors and Officers, whether serving the Corporation
or at its request any other entity, to the full extent required or permitted by
the general laws of the State of Maryland, now or hereafter in force, including
the advance of expenses, under the procedures and to the full extent permitted
by law, and
(B) other
employees and agents, to such extent as shall be authorized by the Board of
Directors or the Corporations by-laws and be permitted by law.
(ii) The
foregoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled.
(iii) The Board of Directors
may take such action as is necessary to carry out these indemnification
provisions and is expressly empowered to adopt, approve and amend from time to
time such by-laws, resolutions or contracts implementing such provisions or
such further indemnification arrangements as may be permitted by law. No amendment of the Charter of the
Corporation or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the
right to indemnification provided hereunder with respect to any act or omission
occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
(b) To
the fullest extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law, as
amended or interpreted, no then current or former Director or Officer of the
Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders
for money damages. No amendment of
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the Charter of the Corporation or repeal of any of its
provisions shall limit or eliminate the limitation on liability provided to
Directors and Officers hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring
prior to such amendment or repeal.
THIRD: The
authorized stock of the Corporation before this amendment was 275,000,000
shares, consisting of 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value,
and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share. The authorized stock of the Corporation after
this amendment will be [ ]
shares, [ ]
of which are initially Common Stock, without par value and [ ]
of which are initially Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per
share. The aggregate par value of all
shares having a par value was $250,000 before the amendment and is $
as amended. The shares of capital stock of the Corporation are divided into
classes, and the description, as amended and restated, of each class, including
the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations
as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, if
any, is set forth in Article SIXTH.
FOURTH: The
foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter of the Corporation has been
advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the
Corporation.
FIFTH: The
resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Corporation authorize these
Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be executed on their behalf by [name, TITLE] of the Corporation and
attested by [name, TITLE.]
SIXTH: The
current number of Directors of the Corporation is [number of directors immediately prior to the Effective Time] and
the names of those currently in office who shall act until their successors are
duly chosen and qualified are as follows: [names
of directors immediately prior to the Effective Time].
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. has caused these
presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized [Vice President/TITLE] of the Corporation,
and its corporate seal to be hereto affixed, duly attested by its [Treasurer/TITLE] on ,
200 , who each hereby (i) acknowledge that the execution of
these Articles of Amendment and Restatement is the act of Constellation Energy
Group, Inc. and (ii) state that to the best of their respective
knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth herein are
true in all material respects, such statement being made under the penalties of
perjury.
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CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.
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By:
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Name, Title
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SEAL:
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CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.
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INCORPORATED
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September 22, 1995
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Attest:
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Name, Title
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8
EXHIBIT A-2 TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
Constellation Energy Group, Inc., a Maryland
corporation, having its principal office in Baltimore City, Maryland
(hereinafter called the Corporation), hereby certifies to the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the MSDAT) that:
FIRST: The
Corporation previously elected to be subject to Sections 3-803 and 3-805 of the
Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL) pursuant to Articles
Supplementary filed by the Corporation with the MSDAT on July 19, 1999.
SECOND: The
Corporation previously elected to be subject to Sections 3-804(b) and Section 3-804(c) of
the MGCL pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed by the Corporation with the
MSDAT on November 21, 2001.
THIRD: Pursuant to Sections 3-802(a)(2) and 3-802(b)(3) of
the MGCL, the Corporation elects not to be subject to Section 3-803 of the
MGCL.
FOURTH: Pursuant to Section 3-802(a)(2) of
the MGCL, the Corporation elects to remain subject to Sections 3-804(b), 3-804(c) and
3-805 of the MGCL.
FIFTH: The
foregoing matters have been approved by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation by resolution in the manner and by the vote required by law. Stockholder approval is not required for the
filing of these Articles Supplementary.
[Signatures on following page]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. has caused these
presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive
Officer and witnessed by its Secretary on ,
200 .
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WITNESS:
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CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
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By
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[NAME],
Secretary
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[NAME], Chief Executive Officer
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THE UNDERSIGNED, Chief Executive Officer of Constellation
Energy Group, Inc., who executed on behalf of the Corporation the
foregoing Articles Supplementary of which this Certificate is made a part,
hereby acknowledges in the name and on behalf of said Corporation the foregoing
Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of said Corporation and hereby
certifies that the matters and facts set forth herein with respect to the
authorization and approval thereof are true in all material respects under the
penalties of perjury.
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[NAME], Chief
Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT B TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
of
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.
Amended and Restated as of ,
200
Adopted as of ,
200 to be effective as of the Effective Time (as
defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December ,
2005, as it may be amended or restated from time to time (the Merger Agreement),
by and among the Corporation, FPL Group, Inc. (FPL Group) and CF Merger
Corporation.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS
Section 1. - Name.
The
name of the corporation is Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (the Corporation).
Section 2. - Offices.
The Corporation shall
maintain principal offices at 750 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
and at 700 Universe Boulevard,
Juno Beach, Florida 33408. The
Corporation may also have other offices at such other places, either within or
without the State of Maryland or the State of Florida, as the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (the Board) may determine or as the activities
of the Corporation may require.
Section 3. - Headquarters.
During the period from
the Effective Time until the fifth anniversary of the Effective Time (the Fifth
Anniversary) or the consummation by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries
of a business combination in which a third-party is entitled to designate three
or more members of the Board, the Corporation will maintain dual headquarters
in Juno Beach, Florida and Baltimore, Maryland.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. - Place of Meetings.
Meetings
of stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at such places, either within
or without the State of Maryland or
the State of Florida, as may be
fixed from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of meeting or in
a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2. - Annual Meetings.
The
Annual Meeting of the stockholders for the election of Directors and for the
transaction of general business shall be held on any date during the period of May 1
through May 31 as determined from year to year by the Board. The time and location of the meeting shall be
determined by the Board. Failure to hold
an Annual Meeting does not invalidate the Corporations existence or affect any
otherwise valid corporate acts.
The Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation shall prepare, or cause to be
prepared, an annual report containing a full and correct statement of the
affairs of the Corporation, including a balance sheet and a financial statement
of operations for the preceding fiscal year, which shall be submitted to the
stockholders at or prior to the Annual Meeting.
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Section 3. - Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the stockholders may be held in Baltimore, Maryland, Juno Beach, Florida
or in any county within the State of Maryland or the State of Florida or in
which the Corporation provides service or owns property upon call by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
Officer or a majority of
the Board whenever they deem expedient, or by the Secretary upon the written
request of the holders of shares entitled to not less than a majority of all
the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.
Such request of the stockholders shall state the purpose or purposes of
the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on and shall be delivered to
the Secretary, who shall inform such stockholders of the reasonably estimated
cost of preparing and mailing such notice of the meeting, and upon payment to the
Corporation of such costs the Secretary shall give notice stating the purpose
or purposes of the meeting to all stockholders entitled to vote at such
meeting. The business at all special
meetings shall be confined to that specifically named in the notice thereof.
Section 4. - Notice and Waiver; Organization of Meeting.
When
stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting whether
special or annual, written, printed or electronic notice of every meeting shall
be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting and each other
stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting.
The notice shall state the place, day, and hour of such meeting and, in
the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called. The notice of any meeting shall
be given, personally, by mail or electronically, not less than 10 or more than
90 days before the date of the meeting.
Any notice given by the Corporation to a stockholder
is effective if given by a single notice, in writing or by electronic
transmission, to all stockholders who share an address if the Corporation gives
notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, to the stockholder of its
intent to give a single notice and the stockholder consents to receiving a
single notice or fails to object in writing within 60 days after the
Corporation gives notice to the stockholder of its intent to give a single
notice. A stockholder may revoke consent
given, whether affirmative or implied, by written notice to the Corporation. The notice shall state the time of the
meeting, the place of the meeting, if any, and the means of remote
communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to
be present in person and may vote at the meeting and, if the meeting is a
special meeting or notice of the purpose is required by statute, the purpose of
the meeting. Notice is given to a
stockholder when it is personally delivered to the stockholder, left at the
stockholders residence or usual place of business, mailed to the stockholder
at the stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Corporation or
transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or
number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic
transmissions. If the Corporation has
received a request from a stockholder that notice not be sent by electronic
transmission, the Corporation may not provide notice to the stockholder by
electronic transmission. Notice given by
electronic transmission shall be considered ineffective if the Corporation is
unable to deliver two consecutive notices and the inability to deliver the
notices becomes known to the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the transfer
agent or other person responsible for giving the notice. The inadvertent failure to deliver any notice
by electronic transmission does not invalidate any meeting or other
action. An affidavit of the Secretary,
the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that notice has been given
by a form of electronic transmission, in the absence of actual fraud, shall be
prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the affidavit.
The
business at all special meetings shall be confined to that specifically named
in the notice thereof.
When a
meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the
adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at
which the adjournment is taken unless the adjournment is to a date more than
120 days after the original record date, or, if after the
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adjournment, a new record
date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, in which circumstances a notice of the
adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote
at the meeting. At the adjourned meeting
the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at
the original meeting.
Notice
of any meeting of stockholders may be waived before or after the meeting in
writing or by electronic transmission by any stockholder entitled to notice of
such meeting. Attendance at a meeting by
any stockholder, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a waiver of notice of
such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose
of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
All
meetings of the stockholders shall be called to order by the Chairman of the
Board, or in his or her absence by the Chief Executive Officer, the President
or a Vice President; or in the case of the absence of such Officers, then by
any stockholder. The party calling the
meeting to order shall be Chairman of the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, if present,
shall act as secretary of the meeting, unless some other person shall be
elected by the stockholders at the meeting to act as secretary. An accurate record of the meeting shall be
kept by the secretary thereof, and placed in the record books of the Corporation.
Section 5. - Order of Business.
(a) At
any Annual Meeting, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been
brought before the Annual Meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board,
or (ii) by any stockholder who complies with the procedures set forth in
this Section 5.
(b) For
nominations or other business to be brought properly before an Annual Meeting
by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in
proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal office of the Corporation
not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the
date on which notice of the prior years Annual Meeting was given to
stockholders in accordance with Section 4 of this Article II. Notices sent by facsimile or electronically
will not be accepted by the Secretary of the Corporation. To be in proper written form, a stockholders
notice to the Secretary shall set forth in writing as to each matter the
stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting:
(i) as
to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a Director, all information relating to such person that is
required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) or any applicable
successor provisions thereto, including such persons written consent to being
named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if
elected; and as to the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address, as
they appear on the Corporations books, of the stockholder proposing such
nomination and the class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by the stockholder.
(ii) as
to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the
meeting:
(A) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the Annual
Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting;
(B) the
name and address, as they appear on the Corporations books, of the stockholder
proposing such business;
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(C) the
class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially
owned by the stockholder; and
(D) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an
Annual Meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5
of Article II. The Chairman of an
Annual Meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the Annual
Meeting that business was not properly brought before the Annual Meeting in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 5 of Article II and,
if the Chairman should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the Annual
Meeting and any such business not properly brought before the Annual Meeting
shall not be transacted.
(d) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section, a stockholder shall also comply with
all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this
Section. Nothing in this Section shall
be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of
proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8
under the Exchange Act.
Section 6. - Quorum.
At any
meeting of the stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders
entitled to cast a majority of the votes thereat shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business.
When a
quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the
subsequent withdrawal of any stockholders.
The
stockholders present, although less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting to
another time or place; provided that notice of such adjourned meeting is given
in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of this Article II.
Section 7. - Voting; Proxies.
At all meetings of the stockholders each stockholder
shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock standing in his or
her name and, when the Preferred Stock is entitled to vote, such number of
votes as shall be provided in the Charter of the Corporation for each share of
Preferred Stock standing in his or her name, and the votes shall be cast by
stockholders in person or by lawful proxy.
However, no proxy shall be voted 11 months after the date thereof,
unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 8. - Control Shares.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter of
the Corporation or these By-Laws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General
Corporation Law (or any successor statute) shall not apply to any acquisition
by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole
or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares
and, upon such repeal, such statute may, to the extent provided by any
successor by-law, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.
Section 9. - Method of Voting.
All elections and all other questions shall be
decided by a majority of the votes cast, at a meeting at which a quorum is
present, except as expressly provided otherwise by the general laws of the
State of Maryland or the Charter and except that Directors shall be elected by
a plurality of the votes cast.
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Section 10. - Ownership of its Own Stock.
Shares
of capital stock of the Corporation held by either (i) the Corporation or (ii) another
corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of
Directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation (a Controlled Corporation), shall neither be entitled to vote nor
be counted for quorum purposes. Nothing
in this Section 10 shall be construed as limiting the right of the Corporation
or any Controlled Corporation to vote stock of the Corporation held by it in a
fiduciary capacity.
Section 11. - Inspectors.
The
Board, in advance of any meeting, may, but need not, appoint one or more
individual inspectors or one or more entities that designate individuals as
inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If an inspector or inspectors are not
appointed, the person presiding at the meeting may, but need not, appoint one
or more inspectors. In case any person
who may be appointed as an inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be
filled by appointment made by the Board in advance of the meeting or at the
meeting by the chairman of the meeting.
The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares outstanding
and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the
existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive
votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions
arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes,
ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to
conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. Each such report shall be in writing and
signed by him or her or by a majority of them if there is more than one
inspector acting at such meeting. If
there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report
of the inspectors. The report of the
inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and
the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
Section 12. - Record Date for Stockholders; Closing of Transfer Books.
The Board may fix, in advance, a date as the
record for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to
vote at, any meeting of stockholders, or entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or entitled to the allotment of any rights, or for any other proper
purpose. Such date in any case shall not
be more than 90 days (and in the case of a meeting of stockholders not less
than 10 days) prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such
determination of stockholders is to be taken (other than in the case of an
adjournment). Only stockholders of
record on such date shall be entitled to notice of or to vote at such meeting
or to receive such dividends or rights, as the case may be. In lieu of fixing a record date the Board may
close the stock transfer books of the Corporation for a period not exceeding 20
nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or not
exceeding 20 days preceding any other of the above mentioned events.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Section 1. - Powers of Directors.
The
business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of
the Board which shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Corporation,
except such as are expressly conferred upon or reserved by the stockholders by
law, by Charter, or by these By-Laws. Except
as otherwise provided
5
herein, the Board shall
appoint the Officers for the conduct of the business of the Corporation,
determine their duties and responsibilities.
Section 2. - Number of Directors.
The Corporation shall
have at least seven (7) Directors; provided that the Board, and only the Board,
may alter the number of Directors from time to time so long as such number does
not exceed 20. Each Director will be
required to be elected at each Annual Meeting.
Section 3. - Vacancies.
If for
any reason any or all of the Directors cease to be Directors, such event shall
not terminate the Corporation or affect these By-Laws or the powers of the
remaining Directors hereunder (even if fewer than three Directors remain). Subject to Section 11 of this Article III,
except as may be provided by the Board after the Second Anniversary (as defined
in Section 11 of this Article III) in setting the terms of any class
or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board may be filled only by a
majority of the remaining Directors, even if the remaining Directors do not
constitute a quorum. Any Director
elected to fill a vacancy shall serve until a successor is elected and
qualified at the next Annual Meeting.
Section 4. - Resignation and Retirement.
Any
Director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice to
the Corporation. Such resignation shall
take effect at the time specified therein, if any, or if no time is specified
therein, then upon receipt of such notice by the Corporation; and, unless
otherwise provided therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective. No person who shall have attained the age of
72 years by the date of election shall be eligible for election as a Director
of the Corporation, and no Director who shall have attained the age of 70 years
by the date of election shall be eligible for election as Chairman of the
Board.
Section 5. - Meetings of the Board.
A
regular meeting of the Board shall be held immediately after the Annual Meeting
of stockholders or any special meeting of the stockholders at which the Board
is elected, and thereafter regular meetings of the Board shall be held on such
dates during the year as may be designated from time to time by the Board. Meetings of the Board may be held in the
Baltimore, Maryland vicinity or in the Juno Beach, Florida vicinity or
elsewhere, as ordered by the Board. Of
all such meetings (except the regular meeting held immediately after the
election of Directors) the Secretary shall give notice to each Director
personally or by telephone, facsimile or electronically directed to, or by
written notice deposited in the mails addressed to, his or her residence or
business address at least 48 hours before such meeting.
Special
meetings may be held at any time or place upon the call of any two Directors or
the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer by notices as
above. In the event all of the Directors
in office waive notice of any meeting in writing at or before the meeting, the
meeting may be held without the aforesaid advance notices.
Section 6 - Attendance at Board Meetings.
The
Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board, or, in his or her absence,
the Chief Executive Officer shall preside.
If at any meeting none of the foregoing persons is present, the
Directors present shall designate one of their number to preside at such
meeting.
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Section 7. - Telephone Meetings Permitted.
Members
of the Board, or any committee, may participate in a meeting thereof by means
of conference telephone or similar communications equipment in which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation
shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 8. - Quorum.
A
majority of the Directors in office shall constitute a quorum of the Board for
the transaction of business. If a quorum
is not present at any meeting, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn
to any time and place they may see fit.
Section 9. - Committees.
The
Board is authorized to appoint from among its members, one or more committees
as it may, from time to time, deem advisable and to delegate to such committee
or committees any of the powers of the Board that it may lawfully delegate. The audit committee
shall have, at a minimum, the number of members required by applicable law or
stock exchange listing standards. The
Directors shall annually elect members of the Board to be the members of each
committee. The members of the committees
shall hold their offices for one year and until their successors, whom shall be
appointed in accordance with this Section 9, are elected and qualified, or
until their earlier resignation or removal.
All vacancies in said committees shall be filled by the Board subject to
the restrictions on membership contained in this Section 9. The purposes and authority of each committee
shall be as set forth in applicable law, board resolution or committee
charter. Any such charter shall be
approved annually by the Board.
Section 10. - Fees and Expenses.
Each
member of the Board, other than salaried Officers and employees, shall be paid
an annual retainer fee, payable in such amount as shall be specified from time
to time by the Board. Each Committee
Chair shall be paid an annual retainer fee, payable in such amount as shall be specified from time
to time by the Board.
Each member of the Board, other than salaried
Officers and employees, shall be paid such fee as shall be specified from time
to time by the Board for attending each regular or special meeting of the Board
and for attending, as a committee member, each meeting of any committee
appointed by the Board. Each member
shall be paid reasonable traveling expenses incident to attendance at meetings.
Section 11. Special Board and Corporate
Governance Provisions.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Article III or elsewhere in these By-Laws:
(a) As
of the Effective Time and until at least the second anniversary of the
Effective Time (the Second Anniversary), the number of Directors that shall
constitute the entire Board shall be fifteen (15). As of the Effective Time, the Board shall
consist of six (6) Constellation Designated Directors (as defined below)
and nine (9) FPL Group Designated Directors (as defined below).
(b) The term Constellation Designated Director
means (a) any person serving as a Director of the Corporation immediately
prior to the Effective Time and who continues as a Director of the Corporation
at the Effective Time in accordance with Exhibit C of the Merger Agreement
and (b) any person who becomes a Director of the Corporation following the
Effective Time pursuant to Section 11(c) of this Article III and
is designated by a majority of the Constellation Designated Directors serving
at such time. The term FPL Group
Designated Director means (a) any person serving as a director of FPL
Group immediately prior to the Effective Time and who becomes a
7
Director of the Corporation at the Effective Time in
accordance with Exhibit C of the Merger Agreement and (b) any person
who becomes a Director of the Corporation following the Effective Time pursuant
to Section 11(c) of this Article III and is designated by a
majority of the FPL Group Designated Directors serving at such time.
(c) Until the Second Anniversary (i) the
Board shall take all necessary action to ensure that any vacancy of a position
on the Board that was held by (A) a Constellation Designated Director be
promptly filled by a person designated by a majority of the Constellation
Designated Directors remaining on the Board at such time and (B) a FPL
Group Designated Director be promptly filled by a person designated by a
majority of the FPL Group Designated Directors remaining on the Board at such
time and (ii) with respect to each election of Directors by stockholders
of the Corporation, the Board shall nominate for election to fill each position
held prior to such election (x) by a Constellation Designated Director, a
person designated by a majority of the Constellation Designated Directors
serving at such time, and (y) by a FPL Group Designated Director, a person
designated by a majority of the FPL Group Designated Directors serving at such
time.
(d) Until
the Second Anniversary or such earlier time as either MS or LH is no longer a
Director, neither LH nor MS shall attend, or be permitted to attend, any
meeting of the Board (or any formal meeting of a group of Directors) or any
meeting of any committee of the Board without
the other unless (i) each of LH and MS has been invited to attend
such meeting, (ii) at least 70% of the members of the entire Board
(rounded up to the nearest whole number)
has requested that LH or MS attend such meeting without the other or (iii) either LH or MS, having been
invited to attend such meeting is unable to do so due to his serious illness or
temporary disability.
(e) As of the Effective
Time, the Board shall appoint an audit committee, a compensation committee, a
finance and investment committee, a governance and nominating committee and a
nuclear power committee. As of the
Effective Time, these shall be the standing committees of the Board. Until
the Second Anniversary (i) there shall be no executive committee of the
Board, (ii) a FPL Group Designated Director shall serve as the chairperson
of the Audit Committee, the Finance and Investment Committee and the Governance
and Nominating Committee, (iii) a Constellation Designated Director shall
serve as the chairperson of the Compensation Committee and the Nuclear Power
Committee, (iv) the chairperson of the Governance and Nominating Committee
will also serve as Presiding Director of the Board, and (v) the representation
of FPL Group Designated Directors and Constellation Designated Directors on
each such committee and any other committee shall, be proportional to the
representation of FPL Group Designated Directors and Constellation Designated
Directors on the entire Board.
(f) Through at least the end of the calendar year
in which the Fifth Anniversary occurs, at least two Board meetings shall be
held each calendar year in (or in the general vicinity of) each of Baltimore,
Maryland and Juno Beach, Florida; provided that if the Effective Time shall
occur after June 30 in a calendar year such requirement shall be
inapplicable for such calendar year, however, if there are two or more Board
meetings after the Effective Time in such calendar year, then one Board meeting
shall be required to be held in such calendar year in (or in the general
vicinity of) each of Baltimore, Maryland and Juno Beach, Florida.
(g) Until the Fifth
Anniversary, the affirmative vote, at a duly conveyed meeting of the Board, of
at least ninety percent (90%) of the members of the entire Board (rounded up to
the nearest whole number) shall be required for the Board or the Corporation,
as the case may be, to amend, modify or adopt a bylaw, or approve or recommend
to the holders of the Corporations capital stock any amendment to these
By-Laws or the Charter, that is inconsistent with the provisions of Section 3
of Article I, Section 11(f) of
this Article III or this Section 11(g) of Article III.
8
(h) Until the Second Anniversary, the affirmative vote, at a duly convened
meeting of the Board, of at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the
entire Board (rounded up to the nearest whole number) shall be required for the
Board or the Corporation, as the case may be, to amend, modify or adopt a
bylaw, or approve or recommend to the holders of the Corporations capital
stock any amendment to these By-Laws or the Charter, that is inconsistent with
the provisions of the third sentence of Section 4 of this Article III,
Sections 11(a) through (e) of this Article III or this Section 11(h) of
this Article III.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. - Officers.
The Corporation shall have a Chairman of the
Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a [President], one
or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and a Secretary who shall, in each case,
be elected by, and hold office at the will of, the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen
from among the Directors. The Board
shall also elect from time to time such other Officers and Assistant Officers
as they may deem necessary for the conduct of the business and affairs of the
Corporation,
or the Board by resolution may authorize the Chief Executive Officer to designate and appoint from time to
time such other Officers and Assistant Officers as he or she may deem necessary
for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Any two Officers, except those of President
and Vice President, may be held by the same person, but no person shall sign
checks, drafts and promissory notes, or execute, acknowledge or verify any
other instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by
law, the Charter, these By-Laws, a resolution of the Board or order of the Chief Executive Officer to be signed,
executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more Officers. The Chief Executive Officer, the President,
any Vice President or such other persons as may be designated by the Board,
shall sign all special contracts of the Corporation, countersign checks, drafts
and promissory notes, and such other papers as may be directed by the
Board. The Chief Executive Officer, the
President or any Vice President, together with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer
(if any), shall have authority to sell, assign or transfer and deliver any
bonds, stocks or other securities owned by the Corporation. The Board shall require a fidelity bond to be
given by each Officer, or, in its discretion, the Board may substitute a
general blanket fidelity bond or insurance contract to cover all Officers and
employees.
Section 2. - Duties of the Officers.
(a) Chairman of the Board
The
Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of
stockholders. The Chairman of the Board
shall also have such other powers and duties as from time to time may be
assigned to him or her by the Board.
(b) Chief Executive Officer
(i) The Chief Executive Officer shall have
general executive powers, as well as specific powers conferred by these
By-Laws. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and perform
such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the
Board. In the absence of the Chairman of
the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform all the duties of the
Chairman of the Board.
9
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Article IV or elsewhere in these By-Laws, (A) as of
the Effective Time and until at least the third anniversary of the Effective
Time (the Third Anniversary), (1) LH shall serve as the Chief
Executive Officer [pursuant to an employment agreement between the Corporation
and LH entered into as of the Effective Time (the LH Employment Agreement)], (2) LH shall in such capacity report directly
to the Board and LH will be the only officer or executive of the Corporation to
report directly to the Board and (3) all officers and executives of the
Corporation will report directly or indirectly to LH and (B) until the
Third Anniversary (1) LH may
be removed from his position as Chief Executive Officer only upon the
affirmative vote (excluding LH and MS), at a duly conveyed meeting of the
Board, of at least 70% of the members of the entire Board (excluding LH and MS)
(rounded up to the nearest whole number) and (2) the affirmative vote (excluding LH and MS), at a duly convened meeting of the Board, of
at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the entire Board (excluding LH and MS) (rounded up to the nearest whole number)
shall be required for the Board or the Corporation, as the case may be, to
amend, modify or terminate the LH Employment Agreement or any term thereof or
to adopt a bylaw, or approve or recommend to the holders of the Corporations
capital stock any amendment to these By-Laws or the Articles of Incorporation, that is inconsistent
with the provisions of this Section 2(b)(ii) of Article IV.
(iii)
The authority of the Board to assign powers and duties to the Chairman of the
Board and to any executive officer of the Corporation other than the Chief
Executive Officer shall in each case be subject to the provisions of the
preceding clause (ii).
(c) President
The
President, if the Chief Executive Officer is not also the President, shall have
such powers and duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board or by the Chief
Executive Officer.
(d) Chief
Financial Officer
The Chief Financial
Officer shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may
be assigned to him or her by the Board or by the Chief Executive Officer.
(e) Vice Presidents
Each
Vice President shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the
Board or the Chief Executive Officer, as well as the specific powers assigned
by these By-Laws. A Vice President may
be designated by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer to perform, in the
absence of the President, all the duties of the President.
(f) Treasurer
The
Treasurer shall have the care and the custody of the funds and valuable papers
of the Corporation, and shall receive and disburse all moneys in such a manner
as may be prescribed by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Treasurer shall have such other powers
and duties as may be assigned by the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer, as
well as specific powers assigned by these By-Laws.
(g) Secretary
The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and Directors and shall
notify the stockholders and Directors of such meetings in the manner provided
in these By-Laws. The Secretary shall
record the proceedings of all such meetings in books kept for
10
that
purpose. The Secretary shall have such
other powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board or the Chief Executive
Officer, as well as the specific powers assigned by these By-Laws.
(h) Other Officers
Such
other Officers and Assistant Officers as are appointed by the Board, or the
Chief Executive Officer if authorized by the Board pursuant to Section 1
above, shall exercise such duties and have such powers as by custom and
applicable law generally pertain to their respective offices as well as such
duties and powers as the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer may assign.
Section 3. - Terms of Office; Removals and Vacancies.
Except
as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, any Officer or Assistant Officer may be
removed by a majority of the Board in its sole judgment. Any Officer or Assistant Officer appointed by
the Chief Executive Officer may
be removed by the Chief Executive
Officer in his or her sole judgment.
In case of removal, the salary of such Officer or Assistant Officer
shall cease, subject to any preexisting contractual rights. Removal shall be without prejudice to the
contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed, but election or
appointment of an Officer or Assistant Officer shall not of itself create
contractual rights.
Each
Officer or Assistant Officer shall hold office until his or her successor is
elected and qualified or appointed, or until his or her earlier removal or resignation.
Any
vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the
Board, or by the Chief Executive
Officer if authorized by the Board pursuant to Section 1 above, and
the Officer or Assistant Officer so elected or appointed shall hold office for
the unexpired term in respect of which the vacancy occurred and until his or
her successor shall be duly elected and qualified or appointed.
In any
event of absence or temporary disability of any Officer or Assistant Officer of
the Corporation, the Board, or the Chief
Executive Officer if authorized by the Board pursuant to Section 1
above, may authorize another person to perform the duties of that office.
Section 4. - Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation.
Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice
of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the
Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by
the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and
any such Officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all
such action as any such Officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by
proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the
Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may
exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such
securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have
exercised and possessed if present. The
Board may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other
person or persons.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
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Section 1. - Procedure.
The
Corporation shall indemnify all Directors, Officers and employees to the
fullest extent permitted by the general laws of the State of Maryland, as in
effect from time to time, and, to the extent permitted thereby, shall pay or
reimburse expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Corporation will follow the procedures
required by applicable law in determining persons eligible for indemnification
and in making indemnification payments and advances.
Section 2. - Exclusivity, etc.
The
indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter and these
By-Laws shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person
seeking indemnification or advance of expenses may be entitled under any law
(common or statutory), or any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
Directors or other provision that is consistent with law, both as to action in
his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
office or while employed or acting as agent for the corporation, shall continue
in respect of all events occurring while a person was a Director or Officer
after such person has ceased to be a Director or Officer, and shall inure to
the benefits of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of such
person. All rights to indemnification
and advance of expenses under the Charter of the Corporation and hereunder
shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each Director or
Officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time
while this by-law is in effect. Nothing herein shall prevent the amendment of
this by-law, provided that no such amendment
shall diminish the rights of any person hereunder with respect to events
occurring or claims made before its adoption or as to claims made after its
adoption in respect of events occurring before its adoption. Any repeal or modification of this by-law
shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification or advance of
expenses of such Director or Officer or the obligations of the Corporation
arising hereunder with respect to events occurring, or claims made, while this
by-law or any provision hereof is in force.
Section 3. - Severability; Definitions.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Article V shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof. The phrase this by-law in this Article V
means this Article V in its entirety.
ARTICLE VI
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1. - Evidence of Stock Ownership.
Evidence
of ownership of stock in the Corporation may be either pursuant to a
certificate(s) or a statement in compliance with the general laws of the State
of Maryland, each of which shall represent the number of shares of stock owned
by a stockholder in the Corporation. Stockholders
may request that their stock ownership be represented by a certificate(s). In case any Officer who signed any
certificate, in facsimile or otherwise, ceases to be such Officer of the
Corporation before the certificate is issued, the certificate may nevertheless
be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if the Officer had not
ceased to be such Officer as of the date of its issue.
For
stock ownership evidenced by a statement, such statement shall be in such form,
and executed, as required from time to time by the general laws of the State of
Maryland.
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Section 2. - Transfer of Shares.
Stock shall be transferable only on the books of
the Corporation by assignment in writing by the registered holder thereof, his
or her legally constituted attorney, or his or her legal representative, either
upon surrender and cancellation of the certificate(s) therefor, if such stock
is represented by a certificate, or upon receipt of such other documentation
for stock not represented by a certificate as the Board and the general laws of
the State of Maryland may, from time to time, require.
Section 3. - Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.
No
certificate for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be issued in place of
any other certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, except
upon production of such evidence of the loss, theft or destruction and upon
indemnification of the Corporation to such extent and in such manner as the
Board may prescribe.
Section 4. - Transfer Agents and Registrars.
The
Board shall appoint a person or persons, the Corporation or any incorporated
trust company or companies or any of them, as transfer agents and registrars
and, if stock is represented by a certificate, may require that such certificate
bear the signatures or the counter-signatures of such transfer agents and
registrars, or either of them.
Section 5. - Stock Ledger.
The Corporation shall maintain at its principal
office, a stock record containing the names and addresses of all stockholders
and the numbers of shares of each class held by each stockholder.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. - Seal.
The
Board shall provide, subject to change, a suitable corporate seal which may be
used by causing it, or facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or
reproduced on the Corporations stock certificates, bonds, or any other
documents on which the seal may be appropriate.
Section 2. - Amendments.
Subject
to Sections 11(f) and 11(g) of Article III and Section 2(b)(ii) of
Article IV, these By-Laws, or any of them, may be amended, altered or
repealed, and new By-Laws may be made or adopted only at any meeting of the
Board, by vote of a majority of the Directors, or at a meeting of the
stockholders, duly called, by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the of
the stockholders eligible to vote thereon.
Pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, the Corporation has elected, by resolution
of the Board, to be subject to Sections 3-804(b), 3-804(c) and 3-805 of
the Maryland General Corporation Law and the following sections of these
By-Laws have been amended to conform to such elections, respectively: Article III,
Section 2, first sentence; Article III, Section 3; and Article II,
Section 3, first sentence, and therefore, such provisions may be amended,
altered or repealed only by resolution of the Board. From time to time, the Corporation may elect
by resolution of the Board, pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed with the
State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, to be or not to be
subject to any or all provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General
Corporation Law.
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Section 3. - Section Headings and Statutory References.
The
headings of the Articles and Sections of these By-Laws have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of these
By-Laws.
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EXHIBIT C
TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.
FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE TIME
Corporate
Name
Following the Effective Time, the name of the
Corporation shall continue to be Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (Constellation)
Corporate
Offices
During the period from the Effective Time until the 5-year
anniversary of the Effective Time, Constellation will maintain dual
headquarters in Juno Beach, FL and Baltimore, MD. The provisions set forth in the previous
sentence shall be set forth in the Constellation By-laws and during the period
from the Effective Time until the 5-year anniversary of the Effective Time, the
sections of the Constellation By-laws setting forth such provisions may not be
amended, altered, repealed or waived in any respect, and the Board of Directors
of Constellation (the Board of Directors) or Constellation shall not
otherwise take any action which would have the effect of eliminating, limiting,
restricting, avoiding or otherwise modifying the effect of, or waiving
compliance with, the provisions of such sections without the affirmative vote
of at least 90% of the entire number of directors, rounded up to the nearest
whole number. Such sections of the
Constellation By-laws shall be of no further effect after the 5-year
anniversary of the Effective Time or upon the consummation by Constellation or
any of its subsidiaries of a business combination in which a third-party is
entitled to designate three or more members of the Board of Directors.
Florida Power & Light Company, the wind
energy business and the fossil and renewables generation business will be
headquartered at the Juno Beach headquarters, and Baltimore Gas and Electric
Company and the competitive energy business will be headquartered at the Baltimore
headquarters. The current CEO of
Constellation, Mr. Mayo A. Shattuck, III, and the current CEO of FPL
Group, Inc. (FPL Group), Mr. Lewis Hay, III, will have
offices at both headquarters so as long as such person continues to be a senior
executive of Constellation.
Board
of Directors
As of the Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall
be declassified so that all directors shall stand for election at each annual
meeting. As of the Effective Time, the
number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be 15, comprised
of nine FPL Group Directors (as defined below) and six Constellation Directors
(as defined below). As of the Effective
Time, the FPL Group Directors will consist of eight non-executive directors and
the CEO of FPL Group, and the Constellation Directors will consist of five
non-executive directors and the CEO of Constellation. The term FPL Group Director means (a) any
person serving as a director of FPL Group prior to the Effective Time and who
becomes a director of
Constellation at the Effective Time in accordance with
this paragraph and (b) any person who becomes a director of Constellation
following the Effective Time pursuant to the next paragraph and is designated
by a majority of the FPL Group Directors serving at such time. The term Constellation Director
means (a) any person serving as a director of Constellation prior to the
Effective Time and who continues as a director of Constellation at the
Effective Time in accordance with this paragraph and (b) any person who
becomes a director of Constellation following the Effective Time pursuant to
the next paragraph and is designated by a majority of the Constellation
Directors serving at such time.
The Board of Directors shall take all necessary action
to ensure that any vacancy of a position on the Board of Directors that was
held by (a) a Constellation Director be promptly filled by a person
designated by a majority of the Constellation Directors remaining on the Board
of Directors at such time and (b) a FPL Group Director be promptly filled
by a person designated by a majority of the FPL Group Directors remaining on
the Board of Directors at such time.
With respect to each election of directors of Constellation by its
stockholders, the Board of Directors shall nominate for election to fill each
position held prior to such election by a Constellation Director a person
designated by a majority of the Constellation Directors serving at such time
and to fill each position held prior to such election by a FPL Group Director a
person designated by a majority of the FPL Group Directors serving at such
time.
The Constellation By-laws will also provide that no
person who shall have attained the age of 72 years by the date of election
shall be eligible for election as a director of Constellation, and no director
who shall have attained the age of 70 years by the date of election shall
be eligible for election as chairman of the Board of Directors.
The provisions set forth under this subheading Board
of Directors shall be set forth in the Constellation By-laws and during the
period from the Effective Time until the 24-month anniversary of the Effective
Time (the Transition Period), the sections of the Constellation
By-laws setting forth such provisions may not be amended, altered, repealed or
waived in any respect, and the Board of Directors or Constellation shall not
otherwise take any action which would have the effect of eliminating, limiting,
restricting, avoiding or otherwise modifying the effect of, or waiving compliance
with, the provisions of this subheading without the affirmative vote of at
least 70% of the entire number of directors, rounded up to the nearest whole
number. Such sections of the
Constellation By-laws shall be of no further effect after the Transition
Period.
Committees
of the Board of Directors and Chairpersons of Committees
As of the Effective Time, the Board of Directors will
have five standing committees: Governance & Nominating, Audit,
Compensation, Finance & Investment and Nuclear Power. The Board of Directors will not have an
Executive Committee. During the
Transition Period, (a) the chairperson of each of the Governance &
Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee and the Finance & Investment
Committee will be a FPL Group Director, (b) the chairperson of each of the
Compensation Committee and the Nuclear Power Committee will be a Constellation
Director, (c) the chairperson of the Governance & Nominating
Committee will also serve as Presiding Director of the Board of Directors and (d) the
representation of FPL Group Directors and
2
Constellation Directors on each committee of the Board
of Directors will be proportional to the representation of FPL Group Directors
and Constellation Directors, respectively, on the entire Board of Directors.
The provisions set forth under this subheading Committees
of the Board of Directors and Chairpersons of Committees shall be set forth in
the Constellation By-laws and during the Transition Period, the sections of the
Constellation By-laws setting forth such provisions may not be amended,
altered, repealed or waived in any respect, and the Board of Directors or
Constellation shall not otherwise take any action which would have the effect
of eliminating, limiting, restricting, avoiding or otherwise modifying the
effect of, or waiving compliance with, the provisions of this subheading
without the affirmative vote of at least 70% of the entire number of directors,
rounded up to the nearest whole number. Such sections of the Constellation By-laws
shall be of no further effect after the Transition Period.
Location
of Board Meetings
During the period from the Effective Time until at
least the 5-year anniversary of the Effective Time, the Board of Directors
shall hold at least two meetings per year in each of Baltimore, MD and Juno
Beach, FL or in the general vicinity of such cities. The Board of Directors may also hold meetings
in other locations and telephonic meetings.
Attendance
at Board Meetings
During the Transition Period, and so long as Mr. Hay
and Mr. Shattuck both continue to serve as directors of Constellation, the
Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors will not permit
either Mr. Hay or Mr. Shattuck to attend any formal meeting of
directors (including formal meetings of a group of directors) or of any
committee of the Board of Directors unless (a) both Mr. Hay and Mr. Shattuck
are invited to attend such meeting, (b) the invitation of only Mr. Hay
or Mr. Shattuck, as applicable, is issued by at least 70% of the entire
number of directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number or (c) either Mr. Hay
or Mr. Shattuck is unable to attend such meeting due to serious illness or
temporary disability.
The provisions set forth under this subheading Attendance
at Board Meetings shall be set forth in the Constellation By-laws and during
the Transition Period the sections of the Constellation By-laws setting forth
such provisions may not be amended, altered, repealed or waived in any respect,
and the Board of Directors or Constellation shall not otherwise take any action
which would have the effect of eliminating, limiting, restricting, avoiding or
otherwise modifying the effect of, or waiving compliance with, the provisions
of this subheading without the affirmative vote of at least 70% of the entire
number of directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number. Such sections of the Constellation By-laws
shall be of no further effect after the Transition Period.
General
Governance Matters and Procedures
As of the Effective Time and to the extent permitted
by applicable law, Constellation and the Board of Directors shall approve and
adopt the corporate
3
governance policies, practices and procedures of the
board of directors of FPL Group and shall otherwise adopt the corporate
governance and disclosure procedures, guidelines and standards of FPL Group, in
each case in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Chairman
of the Board of Constellation
As of the Effective Time, Mr. Shattuck will be
the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Following Mr. Shattucks retirement from the position of Chairman, Mr. Shattuck
will continue to serve as a director of Constellation.
Chief
Executive Officer of Constellation
During the period from the Effective Time until the 3-year
anniversary of the Effective Time, (a) Mr. Hay will be the Chief
Executive Officer of Constellation, (b) Mr. Hay shall in such
capacity report directly to the Board of Directors and Mr. Hay will be the
only officer or executive of Constellation to report directly to the Board of
Directors and (c) all officers and executives of Constellation will
report directly or indirectly to Mr. Hay.
The provisions set forth in this paragraph shall be set forth in the
employment agreement entered into between Constellation and Mr. Hay at or
prior to the Effective Time.
The Constellation By-laws shall provide that during
the period from the Effective Time until the three-year anniversary of the
Effective Time, the Board of Directors or Constellation shall not take any
action which would have the effect of eliminating, limiting, restricting,
avoiding or otherwise modifying the roles and responsibilities of Mr. Hay
during such period of time from that set forth in the preceding paragraph,
without the affirmative vote (excluding Mr. Hay and Mr. Shattuck) of
at least 70% of the entire number of directors (excluding Mr. Hay and Mr. Shattuck),
rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Such provisions of the Constellation By-laws shall be of no further
effect after the three-year anniversary of the Effective Time.
Management
of Competitive Energy Business
As of the Effective Time, Mr. Shattuck will have
management responsibilities for Constellations competitive energy
business. Mr. Shattuck will also
assist Mr. Hay on strategy issues.
The provisions set forth in this paragraph shall be set forth in the
employment agreement entered into between Constellation and Mr. Shattuck,
which shall have a term of three years.
4
EXHIBIT D
TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT
Form of Affiliate Letter
Dear Sirs:
The undersigned, a holder
of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the FPL Group Common
Stock), of FPL Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the Company),
acknowledges that the undersigned may be deemed an affiliate of the Company
within the meaning of Rule 145 (Rule 145) promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) dated as of December 18,
2005, among the Company, Constellation Energy Group, Inc., a Maryland
corporation (Constellation), and CF Merger Corporation, a Florida
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Constellation (Merger Sub),
Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the Merger) and
each share of FPL Group Common Stock will be converted into one share of common
stock, no par value per share, of Constellation (the Constellation Common
Stock). Capitalized terms used but
not defined in this letter have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Merger Agreement.
If in fact the undersigned
were an affiliate under the Securities Act, the undersigneds ability to sell,
assign or transfer the Constellation Common Stock received by the undersigned
in exchange for any shares of FPL Group Common Stock pursuant to the Merger may
be restricted unless such transaction is registered under the Securities Act or
an exemption from such registration is available. The undersigned understands that such
exemptions are limited and the undersigned has obtained or will obtain advice
of counsel as to the nature and conditions of such exemptions, including
information with respect to the applicability to the sale of such securities of
Rules 144 and 145(d) promulgated under the Securities Act. The undersigned understands that
Constellation will not be required to maintain the effectiveness of any
registration statement under the Securities Act for the purposes of resale of
Constellation Common Stock by the undersigned.
The undersigned hereby
represents to and covenants with Constellation that the undersigned will not
sell, assign or transfer any of the Constellation Common Stock received by the
undersigned in exchange for shares of FPL Group Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger except (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act, (ii) in conformity with the volume and other
limitations of Rule 145 or (iii) in a transaction which, in the
opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Constellation, or as described in
a no-action or interpretive letter from the Staff of the SEC, is not required
to be registered under the Securities Act.
In the event of a sale or
other disposition by the undersigned pursuant to Rule 145 of Constellation
Common Stock received by the undersigned in the Merger, the undersigned will
supply Constellation with evidence of compliance with such Rule, in the form of
a letter in the form of Annex I hereto or the opinion of counsel or
no-action letter
referred to above. The undersigned understands that
Constellation may instruct its transfer agent to withhold the transfer of any
Constellation Common Stock disposed of by the undersigned, but that (provided
such transfer is not prohibited by any other provision of this letter
agreement) upon receipt of such evidence of compliance, Constellation shall
cause the transfer agent to effectuate the transfer of the Constellation Common
Stock sold as indicated in such letter.
Constellation covenants
that it will take all such actions as may be reasonably available to it to
permit the sale or other disposition of the shares of Constellation Common
Stock by the undersigned under Rule 145 in accordance with the terms
thereof.
The undersigned
acknowledges and agrees that the legend set forth below will be placed on
certificates representing the shares of Constellation Common Stock received by
the undersigned in connection with the Merger or held by a transferee thereof,
which legend will be removed by delivery of substitute certificates (i) if
the undersigned provides evidence of compliance with Rule 145 to
Constellation, in the form of a letter in the form of Annex I hereto, or (ii) upon
receipt of an opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Constellation from counsel reasonably satisfactory to Constellation to the
effect that such legend is no longer required for purposes of the Securities
Act.
There will be placed on
the certificates for Constellation Common Stock issued to the undersigned
pursuant to the Merger, or any substitutions therefor, a legend stating in
substance:
The
shares represented by this certificate were issued pursuant to a transaction to
which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 applies. The shares may not be sold, pledged or
otherwise transferred except in accordance with Rule 145 promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933, pursuant to a Registration Statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 or in accordance with an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
The undersigned
acknowledges that (i) the undersigned has carefully read this letter and
understands the requirements hereof and the limitations imposed upon the
distribution, sale, transfer or other disposition of Constellation Common Stock
and (ii) the receipt by Constellation of this letter is an inducement and
a condition to Constellations obligations to consummate the Merger.
Execution of this letter
should not be considered an admission on the part of the undersigned that the
undersigned is an affiliate of the Company as described in the first
paragraph of this letter, or as a waiver of any rights the undersigned may have
to object to any claim that the undersigned is such an affiliate on or after
the date of this letter.
2
Very
truly yours,
Dated:
3
ANNEX I
TO EXHIBIT D
[Name]
On
,
the undersigned sold the securities of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (Constellation)
described below in the space provided for that purpose (the Securities). The Securities were received by the
undersigned in connection with the merger of CF Merger Corporation, a Florida
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Constellation, with and into FPL
Group, Inc., a Florida corporation.
Based upon the most
recent report or statement filed by Constellation with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Securities sold by the undersigned were within the
prescribed limitations set forth in paragraph (e) of Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act).
The undersigned hereby
represents that the Securities were sold in brokers transactions within the
meaning of Section 4(4) of the Securities Act or in transactions
directly with a market maker as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(38)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The undersigned further represents that the
undersigned has not solicited or arranged for the solicitation of orders to buy
the Securities, and that the undersigned has not made any payment in connection
with the offer or sale of the Securities to any person other than to the broker
who executed the order in respect of such sale.
Very
truly yours,
Dated:
[Space to be provided for
description of securities.]